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Trump's Big Booty-Filled Bill - Taking Trillions from America's Children & Unborn Babies

 

This 4th of July I am Ashamed - Not Proud

Why were the Senate Majority Leader & VP Missing at the Big Beautiful Bill-ionaire Signing? Were They Ashamed Too?

July 4, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / U.S. Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

trump signs big beautiful bill trump johnson photo big booty filled bill senate majority leader john thune VP J.D. Vance missing at big bill signing photo op july 4 2025 trump republicans taking trillions from america's children & unborn babiesOn July 4, 2025, Donald Trump signed the cynically named, Big Beautiful Bill, into law. After reviewing its contents, I felt compelled to make a few remarks.

The image above or at right shows a photo of the second Trump tax cut signing on the July 4th holiday. Both Republican Vice President J.D. Vance and Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune are missing.

In the photo we posted below of the Trump's first term tax cut photo, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and VP Mike Pence were all present. As you can see for yourself, this time around, two of the three leaders - albeit different Republicans - were not present.

Nonetheless, one thing that hasn't changed is that all of the Republicans in the photo are still LAUGHING AT YOU, not with you. They got preferential tax rates and will continue receiving campaign funding from billionaires to keep their jobs, while you, your children, your grandchildren, great grandchildren and so forth all got scr*wed.

This is literally taking money [$3 - $5 TRILLION TO BE EXACT] from BABIES. What kind of parents and grandparents allow this to happen? And what kind of cowards engineer these big steals? STOP THIS STEAL WHY DON'T YOU?

 



 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

July 4th Fireworks & Weekend _ Scroll Down to see Headline Events & Things to Do for Each Boro: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsJuly 4, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.296 am. Sunset 8.301 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 15 hours & 1 minutes of daylight or five minutes less of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Summer Solstice, on June 20, 2025. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of this year, providing 15 hours and 6 minutes of sunlight in NYC.

The photo above or at right was taken a few years ago, of folks lined up along the East River waterfront in Queens, on a warm summer day, waiting in anticipation of ... This year Queens won't have a front row seat to the Macy's 4th of July fireworks as they are being staged at the south end of the East River, so folks will have to travel to Brooklyn and Manhattan for the front row seats. In prior years some of the fireworks barges were staged around Midtown, whereas this year none will be positioned north of the Brooklyn Bridge. That said, they're trying something new this year, as two launch areas are being positioned atop the Brooklyn Bridge - one at each tower. The height of these two launch areas may make remote viewing more accessible from longer distances.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. The temperature highs will be in the mid to high 80's Friday and Saturday, while the temperature lows will be around 70 for those two days. The Sunday high will be about 90 and the low in the mid to high 70's. No rain is in the forecast for NYC this weekend. The winds will be about 3 - 8 mph Friday and Saturday, rising to 5 - 10 mph on Sunday. The humidity will range from 50% - 65% in what appears to be a relatively stable three days, although rising slightly each day. So, all tolled, the weekend looks to be pretty fine.

 

Friday Early AM Edition @ 3 am. Friday July 4th events are mostly done. We may have one or two additions by about lunchtime. And by the end of Friday will have the whole weekend posted. Have a Happy 4th of July weekend.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

NYC Beaches and Public Outdoor Swim Pools are Open for the Summer.

CLICK here to see NYC 4th of July Fireworks all 5 Boroughs.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks begin at 9.35 in the East River & atop the Brooklyn Bridge. For details use our link below which contains maps and explanations of viewing and restrictions and / or see - https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2025/Macys-4th-of-July-Fireworks-Show-Live-From-the-Brooklyn-Bridge-and-the-East-River-With-Sparkling-Displays-and-Electrifying-Musical-Performances/default.aspx

CLICK to see Manhattan 4th of July fireworks 2025 best viewing locations & Macy's July 4th Fireworks NYC

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Manhattan Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Manhattan Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Queens NYC

4th of July Fireworks at Breezy Point & Subway Series Yankees / Mets

July 4 - 6, 2025 - Subway Series - Yankees vs Mets - at CitiField in Queens. For tickets and details see MLB website.

Saturday, July 5, 2025 from 8 - 8.20 pm* - Fireworks and July 4th celebration. * Note that the time posted this year [8 - 8.20 pm] seems early, as historically it's been booked an hour later. I found one unofficial site that posted 9 pm as the start time, so get there early or risk missing them. At Breezy Point which is a neighborhood located along the west end of the Rockaways. Organized by the Breezy Point Coop. For details, copy & paste - https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01301

Saturday, June 7 - September 13, 2025 at various times & locations - Queens Boro Dance Festival. The performances are weekly all summer long in numerous locations across the borough. Free. For details see - https://queensborodancefestival.org

CLICK to see Queens July 4th fireworks 2025 & Astoria Park 4th of July fireworks & Bayside Fireworks 2025 Queens NYC.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Queens Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Queens Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes

Tuesdays & Thursdays in July & August beginning at 9.15 am and 11 am both days - Nature for Young Kids - at Alley Pond Environmental Center. For Adult with child ages 2 - 3 years old. See MCal link above for details and tickets which run $88 for adult / child for four weeks in July & $66 for three weeks in August.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Brooklyn NYC

54th International African Arts Festival, 4th of July Fireworks along the East River & at Coney Island

Friday, July 4, 2025 from 11 am - 1 pm - Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest - At the corner of Stillwell and Surf. Contestants show many hotdogs they can eat in ten minutes. In 2021 - For the men, Joey Chestnut ate 76 hotdogs in ten minutes, and for the women, Michelle Lesco ate just shy of 31 hot dogs in ten minutes.

Friday, July 4, 2025 - Macy's 4th of July Fireworks begin at 9.35 in the East River & atop the Brooklyn Bridge. For details use our link below which contains maps and explanations of viewing and restrictions and / or see - https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2025/Macys-4th-of-July-Fireworks-Show-Live-From-the-Brooklyn-Bridge-and-the-East-River-With-Sparkling-Displays-and-Electrifying-Musical-Performances/default.aspx

Friday thru Sunday, July 4 - 6, 2025 from 10 am - 9 pm Daily - The 54th International African Arts Festival - At Commodore Barry Park at Navy Street [North Elliot Place] and Flushing & Park Avenues in the Fort Greene Neighborhood of Brooklyn. This fair includes food, shopping and there are also daily musical / dance performances. Admission with $5 - $10 suggested donation at the gate. Street fairs in Fort Greene BK. https://iaafestival.org/

Fridays, June 20 - September 5, 2025 _ Weekly _ The Coney Island Weekly Friday Night Fireworks - at Steeple Chase Tower off the Boardwalk near Luna Park [see fireworks link that follows for details]. Including July 4th. For details, copy & paste - https://www.allianceforconeyisland.org

Two Plays - Polonsky & Billie Holiday Theater.

CLICK to see Brooklyn 4th of July fireworks 2025 best viewing locations & Coney Island July 4th fireworks 2025 BK NYC

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Brooklyn BLVD New Member Sign Up. Click this link Brooklyn MCAL - Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in the Bronx NYC

Subway Series Yankees / Mets

Thursday, July 3, 2025 beginning at 9 pm - Independence Day Fireworks at Coop City. It will be held at Little League Field in Co-op City in the Bronx. People will start gathering around 5 pm, there's a concert by a band at 7 pm and the fireworks show will begin around 9 pm. This fireworks display returned after a couple year hiatus during the pandemic [2020 - 2022 I think]. For details see - https://www.coopcity.com or https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01301

July 4 - 6, 2025 - Subway Series - Yankees vs Mets - at CitiField in Queens. For tickets and details see MLB website.

CLICK to see Bronx 4th of July fireworks 2025 & Orchard Beach July 4th fireworks 2025 BX NYC.

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Bronx Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Bronx MCAL Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week on Staten Island NYC

Travis Town Independence Day Parade, 4th of July Fireworks at the Ferry Hawks Game & Remote Viewing of both the Macy's and Coney Island Fireworks

Thursday, July 3, 2025 beginning at 7 pm & 9 pm respectively - 4th of July concert & 4th of July fireworks show. Vinnie Medugno and the Cocoa Band. Both the concert and the fireworks are FREE. At Turtle Circle at Midland Beach along the east shore of Staten Island near Staten Island University Hospital in Dongan Hills on Staten Island. For details, see - https://www.instagram.com/sibpvito/?hl=en or https://www.statenislandusa.com or https://www.facebook.com/SIBPVito/

Friday, July 4th, 2025 beginning at 11.30 am - Travis Independence Day Parade and celebration that harks back to a simpler time. The roads close at 11.15 am. The ceremonies begin at 12 noon at Independence Park honoring some of the local parade celebrities. The parade starts at 12.30 pm. The parade route is triangular beginning at the Showplace Entertainment Center at 141 East Service Road, marches west on Victory Blvd to Glen Street. Then to Cannon Avenue, before heading south on Victory Blvd ending back at the Showplace Center. 4th of July parades on Staten Island. For tickets and details copy & paste - https://travisparade.org/

Friday, July 4, 2025 after the game / dusk - Staten Island Ferry Hawks fireworks display - at SIUH Community Park at 75 Richmond Terrace which is a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George. The game time is 7 pm and the fireworks start at dusk / after the ball game. For Ferry Hawks tickets and full fireworks schedule, copy & paste - https://ferryhawks.com/sports/2025/1/27/2025-home-schedule.aspx

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks begin at 9.35 in the East River & atop the Brooklyn Bridge. For details use our link below which contains maps and explanations of viewing and restrictions and / or see - https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2025/Macys-4th-of-July-Fireworks-Show-Live-From-the-Brooklyn-Bridge-and-the-East-River-With-Sparkling-Displays-and-Electrifying-Musical-Performances/default.aspx

CLICK to see - Staten Island 4th of July fireworks 2025 & Empire Outlets, the Staten Island Ferry Hawks Fireworks 2025 and the Travis July 4th Parade SI

MCAL _ MEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR. Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Staten Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Staten Island Events - Member Events to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups. This month includes TBD.

Have a nice weekend.

 

 


NYC 4th of July Fireworks - July 4th Fireworks Displays in NYC

nyc july 4th fireworks new york city nyc best places to view watch 4th july fireworks nyc nys

NYC 4th of July Fireworks 2025 - All 5 Boroughs of NYC

Best Viewing Places / Best Locations to Watch Fireworks in NYC

4th of july fireworks 2018 manhattan nyc july 4th 2018 July 4, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / 4th of July Holiday NYC / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather Friday & Saturday, July 4 & 5, 2025. The temperature highs will be in the mid to high 80's each day, while the temperature lows will be around 70 each day. No rain is in the forecast for NYC during this time period. The winds will be about 3 - 8 mph both days. The humidity will range from 50% - 65% in what appears to be a relatively stable couple of days, during which fireworks will be launched throughout the NYC area. Both days look pretty fine.

NYC Weather Update as of 6.24.25 for Early Fireworks Displays in the Bronx and Queens on Thursday June 26, 2025. The temperature highs will be in the high 90's on Thursday, descending to about 80 by midday and down to 70 in the late evening. The humidity will be in the 70% range for most of the day. No rain is expected and winds will be in the 10 mph range. Not too bad for a July 4th fireworks display, although the winds might make it challenging for the pyrotechnicians.

Air Quality. As of 7.4.25 the air quality is Moderate, as well as for Friday & Saturday, although rising going into the weekend. To stay abreast of the air quality in NYC copy and paste this link into your browswer bar - https://www.airnow.gov

All of these fireworks displays are FREE, unless specified otherwise.

 



NYC Free Swimming Pools - Free Indoor Outdoor Swim Pools NYC Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx Staten Island

NYC Swimming Pools - Free Outdoor Public Swimming Pools in NYC

nyc swimming pools nyc free public indoor outdoor swim pools nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nycJune 22, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz NYC.

New York City offers easy access to a wide range of recreational indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The following provides you with a view of the range of public swimming pools available in the parks of the entire city. We encourage you to make use of these facilities because they provide healthy, fun, and frequently free or inexpensive entertainment for both individuals and families with children.

Be advised that as of this posting, the pools are scheduled to open on Friday, June 27, 2025. You're advised to bring sunscreen, a padlock for a locker and a towel. Please be respectful of your fellow Bronxians, Brooklyners, Manhattanites, Queensians and Staten Islanders while using the pools.

Click these links to view a listing of swimming pools in each borough, complete with location and contact information, swimming pool sizes, hours and other details.



Zohran Mamdani Wins in 2nd Round of Ranked Choice Voting

nyc

 

Update: Mamdani Wins Ranked Choice Voting, but Final Vote Count Remains

One Final Vote Count Remains as All Mail in Ballots Not Yet Included in the Tallies

mamdani wins ranked choice vote eric adams betrayal of the working class mayor adams billionaires self serving eric adams nycUpdate July 1, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Mamdani wins Ranked Choice Voting - Prior to the Final Counting with All Mail in Ballots. The current tabulations show that Mamdani widened his lead to [545,334 or 56%] over Cuomo [428,530 or 44%] in the ranked choice round.

While there are still some mail in ballots to be counted, it is believed that the bulk of the mail in ballots have been included in the count. In the 2021 NYC Mayoral Race [general] there were in the neighborhood of 125,000 - 132,000 mail in ballots.

The graphic above or at right shows the NYC Board of Election vote counts for the June 2025 NYC Mayoral Race following the first and subsequent rounds of ranked choice voting. All of the mail in ballots have not yet been included in the counts.

See related story, for an evolving view of the general election for NYC Mayor, with Eric Adams attacking Mamdani using Murdoch NY Post style labels and little substance.


 

 


Eric Adams Multi-Billion Betrayal of the Working Class

 

After Mamdani First Round Ranked Choice Voting Victory, Adams Lashes out at him

Cuomo Decides to Stay in the Race & It's Time for You to Learn More about Adams' Transferring Public Wealth to one of his Supporters, Billionaire Stephen Ross of Related Companies

eric adams betrayal of the working class mayor adams billionaires self serving eric adams nycJune 27, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Mamdani Decisively Wins First Round of Ranked Choice. Zohran Mamdani [432,000 1st place votes] spooked the billionaires and real estate folks, who funded Andrew Cuomo's [362,000 votes] and Eric Adams' [0 votes as no longer running as a Democrat] campaigns. A number of them profited immensely from dealings with both Cuomo and Adams while in office, but particularly during the Adams Administration's, 'getting stuff done' for them. Contrary to what Adams proclaims, he's been 'getting stuff done' for the billionaires - not the working classes - as a brief look at his record below demonstrates. Also see Zoom Call below noting ongoing Adams transference of great public wealth to one of his campaign funders, Stephen Ross of Related Companies [among others], via transference of control of FEC Chelsea NYCHA.

In the graphic above or at right we've depicted Eric Adams as we see him today, in a money suit, which is what he's really all about. We just didn't know it four years ago. Adams never really had a vision for NYC, and wasn't really committed to anything for the working classes, unless it was something that would enable him to self promote or enrich himself. There's a reason billionaires are funding Eric Adams' campaign. And it's not because of how he looks, but rather because of his actions on their behalf. Follow the guy in the money suit and pay attention where he has it laundered, as the Feds did before the Trump pardon.

Billionaire Funded Fake News & Ads Coming to a TV near You. During the rest of this campaign, you can expect distorted billionaire TV News coverage generally, but particularly from Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, and also from Murdoch's NY Post and Wall Street Journal. They will find different ways to directly or indirectly attack, discredit or undermine Mamdani, using unsupported allegations, rumors and innuendo. Mamdani, like AOC, seems authentic in his desire to help the working classes / families - and not the billionaires - as Eric Adams has done. And should Mamdani win, the Murdoch Ministry of Mass Manipulation will continue to provide distorted reporting, reflecting their master's voice, as they pretty much do every day.

Adams Appears to be Working with and for Republicans. Following the announcement of the first round of ranked choice voting results, Adams re-announced his candidacy as an 'Independent'. But Adams isn't really independent. In fact he seems very 'Dependent' on his uncle Donald Trump, who pardoned Adams for his alleged crimes. Adams looks to be a Republican party proxy pol, who they will use to siphon votes away from Democrat Mamdani.

Cuomo Decides to Continue his Run on the 'Fight & Deliver' Ballot Line. We just learned that Andrew Cuomo has officially decided to stay in the race, as he did not withdraw his name from the 'Fight & Deliver' ballot line. Like Adams, Cuomo is also a 'Dependent' on the billionaires who fund his campaigns, and for whom he appears to 'fight and deliver', not unlike how Adams 'gets stuff done'.

 

 



NYC Mayoral Primary & Andrew Cuomo's Record as NYS Governor

 

Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 22, 2025 & Andrew Cuomo's Record

Consider the Source - A Word about Billionaire Bloomberg & Big Real Estate Funding of NYC Mayoral Race TV Attack Ads - Vote for 'Their' Mayor or Vote for One of Ours?

Links Include - Working Family Party Recommendations & Poll Site Locator

June 20, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

andrew cuomo's record as nys governor short report about andrew cuomoA Word about Billionaire Michael Bloomberg Trying to Impose his Well Funded Will on the NYC Mayoral Race. Former Mayor Bloomberg and Big Real Estate have been spending millions of dollars on TV attack ads targeting NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. The ads are filled with accusations about things Mamdani may have said, but nothing nothing he has ever acted upon in support of alleged statements.

The billionaires want Andrew Cuomo to win, because Cuomo is 'their guy' who will keep a lid on public spending on transit, education, police, sanitation, the arts and infrastructure, so that NYC billionaires can keep a lid on tax rates and keep more money they don't need, for themselves. The billionaire funded pols, like Cuomo and Adams, will try to keep a lid on public spending so that they can keep giving the super rich lavish tax breaks on their real estate investments in NYC 'affordable housing' ... that's 'affordable' to those making $100,000 plus.

 

CLICK here to read the rest of our report on the part of Andrew Cuomo's Record as Governor that they don't want you to think about.

 



Trustworthy / Trusted Web News Sources - None Billionaire Owned

 

Local & National [Primarily Web] News Sources we Currently Trust

7.7.25 Update / Opinion / Work in Progress

We've entered The Disinformation Age. Much of the mass media is controlled by billionaires, especially TV assets. They changed the FCC laws so they are no longer required to behave ethically, accurately and so the billionaire press does what it does best, pursues profits regardless of community collateral damage. They're only sharing information that they want you to know. They omit key facts they don't want you to know or even entirely ignore important stories that may embarass their billionaire friends. They try to manipulate viewers' perceptions in order to get them to vote for candidates representing the billionaires' interests, and provide open mics to the candidates their choice - not fact checked - even when these pols are making numerous false or misleading statements.

 

Trusted Web News Sources - Gotham Buzz

6.20.25 _ Currently Recommended News Sources to Help You Wean Yourself from Servile Dependence on Billioniare TV News. We currently favor The City, Politico, Axios, Vox, Wikipedia, the Gotham Gazette, Gothamist, City & State, Mother Jones, Wired, the browser Firefox curates a fair news offering, finance.yahoo.com is good for business news, and moderated social media outlets like BSky.app hace an intelligent audience that does a fair job of identifying key news reports, and use the search engines to look things up. Collectively these news sources should enable you to effectively do your civic duty to inform yourself about people and issues before voting. The NON-Billionaire TV News that we currently find reliable, includes left-leaning Democracy Now [on FNX & CUNY TV], PBS News Hour, and PBS Documentaries are also very informative. The Washington Post and New York Times are still fairly reliable, but not as implicitly so as in the past. Both the NYT and Wapo have undergone ownership / top management changes within the past six years. And the new management teams' values appear to differ from their predecessors, so pay attention to editorial changes / impacts. I no longer find any of the Network TV News outlets to be sufficiently informative. I doubt they ever were, but back in the day they used the newspaper reporting to help keep them informed, which today no longer cuts it. But that said, you can still pick up a few leads from TV News, which you can then use to more fully inform yourself, by doing further research on the internet. Also Vox & Axios. 6.20.25 Murdoch Iran War Monger.

 



Rupert Murdoch is Beating his Manipulative Mass Media War Drums Again

 

Rupert Murdoch is Beating his Manipulative Mass Media War Drums Again

The 94 Year Old, Life-Long War Monger, is Again Pushing the U.S. to get into Another Mid East War - this time with Iran - because Wars Generate Higher Profits for the Billionaire's TV & Print News Outlets

June 20, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / U.S. Politics Media & UN News / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

rupert murdoch mass manipulation media rupert murdoch fox news wsj ny post  dishonest reporting by tv news on israel middle eastMurdoch may be guilty of inciting numerous wars, but it's the American people who must pay for them ...

... with the lives of their loved ones, increased public debt, and the loss of friends and allies around the world, because of the incredible abuse of American power made by this generation, repeated over and over again. Murdoch never admits nor pays for his mistakes.

Was Murdoch's visit to the Trump Oval Office in Winter of 2025, shortly after Trump won the election, to get Trump moving on a War with Iran?

Once again, the Murdoch Ministry of Mass Manipulation is providing their audiences with distorted reports about what's happening in the Middle East, to pressure another American president [in this case Trump] into taking America into another war in the Middle East again. At least twice before, the Murdoch Ministry of propaganda convinced enough of the Fox News fools - by which I mean people who don't augment what 'news' they obtain from the Murdoch Ministry of Mass Manipulation with non-Murdoch news sources. Murdoch controls Fox News, the NY Post, the Wall St. Journal, the London Times, the Sun [also U.K.] and the Australian. All Murdoch controlled entities appear to report stories about people and issues pretty much the same way - which is to report them in whatever way Rupert Murdoch orders.

 

Murdoch Mass Media Beat the War Drums for both Iraq & Afghanistan using False & Distorted Narratives

rupert murdoch mass manipulation media rupert murdoch fox news wsj ny post distort the truth for profit dishonest reporting by tv news on israel middle eastMurdoch famously uses the same old tired rhetoric, that this will be a 'just' war and it's really a war on terror, even though it is not. It's really a war for higher ratings and more newspaper sales.

Note that the Lachlan Murdoch visit to Netanyahu in Israel was in January 2024.

These above mentioned narratives are the same as those used by Murdoch mass media to get us to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq it was 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' that were never found [remember that?], in Afghanistan it was more of the same fear mongering about terrorism. Now it's Iranian Nukes that - that like the WMD - don't currently exist. Notice that ONLY Fox News polls show Americans favoring going to war with Iran, when nobody else's polls do. Not even the Times of Israel. Now that's a coincidence, isn't it?

 

 



NYC Mayoral Race Tightens 2025

NYC Mayoral Race Tightens

Candidates Mamadani & Lander Cross Endorse Each Other

June 13, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics Media & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

nyc mayors race brad lander zohran mamdani nyc mayoral candidates nycOn Friday, the top two NYC Mayoral contenders to Andrew Cuomo - Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander - cross endorsed each other for Mayor. This should help both of them as contenders and according to one pundit, reduces Cuomo's sure lock on the Mayoralty from 80% down to 60%. Which means Mamdani and Lander need to reach out to other NYC Mayoral candidates who realistically are no longer contenders, like Zellnor Myrie, Michael Blake, Jessica Ramos, and Jim Walden [running as an anti-corruption Independent] to increase their odds, while detracting from Cuomo's.

The photos above or at right were taken earlier this year at two different debates. On the left is NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and on the right is NYS Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani - the top two contenders for NYC Mayor following Andrew Cuomo. On Friday they cross endorsed each other, which will likely lead to increased TV ad spending by big real estate on their also-ran, straw horse candidates [see below]; as well as increased TV ad spending for attack ads trying to discredit real challengers to big real estate's choice for Mayor - Andrew Cuomo. Most TV political ads are such distortions of the truth, that they seem to be more fake news than informative.

Please do your homework on the candidates, using some of the high quality information sources below, to move up the learning curve on who the candidates are and who's funding them. TV News doesn't cut it any more, as it's controlled by billionaires. A long while ago, they rolled back FCC regulations requiring fair and balanced reporting, which is why what TV News presents today, is no longer consistently credible.

CLICK here to read the rest of our report on Mamdani & Lander cross endorse in NYC Mayoral Race 2025.

 



Things to do in NYC June 2025 - June Events NYC 2025

 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Beaches Open for the Summer - Scroll Down to see Headline Events & Things to Do for Each Boro: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsJune 6, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 5.26 am. Sunset 8.23 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 15 hours & 5 minutes of daylight or five hours and 25 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which was the shortest day of last year [2024] at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark. The Summer Solstice is coming June 20, 2025 which will be the longest day of this year.

The photo above or at right was taken a couple of weeks ago in Hells Kitchen, showing a number of air conditioning units geometrically protruding from the sleek wall of a glass and steel skyscraper. Those are likely to come in very handy in the coming months.

NYC Specific Weather - This can be very Different vs TV News Area Weather. Friday is dry but cloudy. Saturday, there's a 30% - 50% chance for a third inch of rain between 8 am and 5 pm. It's the kind of day where an umbrella might (or might not), come in handy. Sunday, there's a 30% - 60% chance of half that amount of rain - but after 7 pm. Temperature highs may hit 90 Friday, falling back to about 80 on Saturday and Sunday. Temperature lows will straddle the high 60's to the low 70's all weekend. The humidity will range from 60% to 80% on both Friday and Sunday, and remain at a steady 70% on Saturday. Winds will range from 5 to 10 mph all weekend. It's definitely a manageable weekend weather-wise - contrary to the billionaire TV News efforts to convince you to stay inside watching TV.

 

Friday Evening Edition @ 11 pm. Mostly done - if not completely done. it's always possible there might be late additions.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

50501 Movement Protest in WDC Friday 6/6/25, NYS Primary is 6/24/25, NYC Beaches Open & Next Week is No Kings Protests in NYC & Nationwide

Saturday, May 24, 2025 - NYC Beaches Open for the Summer.

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

Friday, June 6, 2025 in Washington, D.C. - 50501Movement.org Veteran Budget Cuts Protest - at the Mall in Washington, D.C. to protest the Trump / Musk budget cuts affecting U.S. Veterans. For details see - https://www.facebook.com/groups/50501movement/posts/1037489384655057/ | or 50501vets.com

Saturday, June 14, 2025 at various times & locations - No Kings Protest - Nationwide protests against the Trump Administration efforts to take federally funded benefits and services from lower, middle and upper middle income Americans, and transfer it to the richest people on the planet, by enabling them to pay lower tax rates funded by cuts and adding another $2 - $4 trillion in debt on America's children. That would boost America's debt for which Trump would personally be responsible for nearly a third of it, and possibly more. For more information about this, see - https://indivisible.org/statements/indivisible-and-partners-announce-no-kings-nationwide-day-defiance-flag-day-during - and for details of related events happening in NYC, see - https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in Manhattan

Tribeca Film Festival has Begun, 116th St Festival, Puerto Rican Parade, St Nicholas Festival, Multi Cultural Festival, Israeli & Independent Film Festivals end & Next Week Museum Mile Festival & Taste of Summer Central Park Fundraiser

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsTribeca _ Wednesday through Sunday, June 4 - 15, 2025 - The Tribeca Film Festival - at Spring Studios at [6 St Johns Lane] but generally the entrance on Varick between York and Laight Streets in Tribeca is the most frequently used. There are a multitude of free and paid live and online events and films covering a variety of subjects including but not limited to LGBTQ, LatinX and Juneteenth to view at various venues around the city. For details see - https://tribecafilm.com

The photo above or at right was taken at the Tribeca Film Festial last year. The festival returned earlier this week and will continue through next weekend. See details below.

Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 9.30 am to 5 pm - St Nicholas Avenue Festival - Along St Nicholas Avenue between 181st Street to 188th Street - street fairs in the Upper West Side NYC neighborhood of Manhattan. For details see - https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ny-state-health-nicholas-avenue-festival-and-carnaval-event

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - Manhattan Art Open at El Barrio - on the UES / East Harlem.

Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 10 am - 5 pm - 40th Annual 116th Street Festival - Along 3rd Avenue from 106th St to 122nd street and along 116th between 2nd and Lexington Avenues in the El Barrio section of East Harlem. Food, shopping & three stages of entertainment. For details see - https://116thstfestival.com/

Sunday, June 8, 2025 beginning at 11 am - The Puerto Rican Day Parade returns. It will kick off at 5th Avenue at 43rd Street marching north to 79th Street on the UES. This is one of the largest parades in NYC and it celebrates various aspects of Puerto Rican culture. For details see - https://www.nprdpinc.org/

Washington Heights _ Saturday, June 7 & 21, 2025 from 11 am to 7 pm & 12 noon to 6 pm respectively - 16th Annual Multi-Cultural Festival - 1st Weekend in the Jackie Robinson Bandshell at 85 Bradhurst Avenue between 147th & 148th Streets in Washington Heights. The 2nd Weekend is held at along St. Nicholas Avenue between 141st and 145th Streets in Washington Heights. This event includes performances, food, vendors and social services. Organized by New York African Chorus Ensemble in collaboration with the NYPD 30th Precinct & the 30th Precinct Community Council. For free tickets [not required per se] and details, copy & paste - https://multiculturalfestival.nyc

Midtown _ Tuesday - Sunday, June 3 - 8, 2025 at various times - Independent Film Festival - at the Producers Club at 358 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan. For $22 tickets and details see - https://nycindieff.com/

UWS _ Thursday - Thursday, June 5 - 12, 2025 at various times - The Israeli Film Festival - at the Marlene Meyerson JCC at 334 Amersterdam Avenue [at 76th Street] on level L2- Auditorium on the UWS. For details and $10 - $50 tickets, copy & paste - https://mmjccm.org/

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 6 - 9 pm - Museum Mile Festival - Along 5th Avenue from 79th Street to 106th Street on the Upper East Side. All of the exquisite museums along 5th Avenue on the Upper East Side UES are open to the public for free. For details see - https://www.centralpark.com/events/museum-mile-festival/

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Taste of Summer in Central Park - on Bethesda Terrace. Fundraiser for the Central Park Conservancy. Tickets are $400 / person or $10K - $15K for a table. For details see - https://www.centralparknyc.org/activities/events/taste-of-summer

MCAL _ MEMBER CALENDAR EVENTS - Use this link for new member sign up and posting - Manhattan Buzz New Member Sign Up. Click this link Manhattan Member Events Calendar to view free posts made by arts, cultural and community groups.

CLICK here to read the rest of our report about Things to do this Weekend in all 5 Boroughs of NYC.

 



Trump's Booty-Filled Bill - Republican Values 2025

UPDATE - PASSES SENATE ON JULY 1, 2025 W/ VANCE CASTING THE DECIDING VOTE. COLLINS, RAND PAUL AND THOM TILLIS VOTED WITH DEMOCRATS IN OPPOSITION. RAISES DEBT CEILING $5 TRILLION. GIVES TH E RICHEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET $3 TRILLION TO BE PAID FOR BY UNBORN BABIES.

AND A REAL SHOW OF 21ST CENTURY MAGA REPUBLICAN VALUES. STEP ON THE POOR AND ENRICH THE RICH WHO FUND THEIR CAMPAIGNS & SCREW THE ENVIRONMENT. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO WRONG COME OUT OF WASHINGTON EVER. TRUMP REPUBLICANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR $13 OF THE SOON TO BE $39 TRILLION IN U.S. DEBT.

 

Trump's Booty-Filled Bill - It's an Encapsulation of Republican Values in the 21st Century: Protecting Billionaires, Campaign Funders & Disinformative TV News

This was Originally Embedded in the Memorial Day Weekend - Things to Consider over this Important Weekend

May 23, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / U.S. Politics Media & UN News / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

trump beautiful bill 2025 trump booty filled bill 2025 cuts medicaid cuts veterans jobs cuts healthcare cuts clean energy cuts education extends the super rich tax breaks screws the middle and lower classes bend overOne Big BOOTY-FILLED Bill. Republican Majority Leader Mike Johnson, with the help of 215 Republicans in Congress, passed a budget bill which will severely cut Medicaid, and possibly cut over $600 billion from Medicare over the next ten years. The bill is reported to eliminate tax credits for clean energy usage, and keep giving the wealthiest people on the planet lower tax rates - netting them trillions in extra wealth, while those earning less than $17,000 will reportedly pay $1000 or more than currently. It's a democracy destroying budget bill, that will shift over $3 trillion in debt onto the next generation and impoverish them, so that the wealthiest people in the world can continue exploiting the middle and working classes, unhindered by federal government oversight.

George Orwell's Animal Farm and Modern Day TV News. Billionaire TV News failure to accurately and comprehensively report the real news, is a huge contributing factor to our failing democracy. Their failed TV News broadcasts contribute greatly to the misguided selection of government officials, particularly by older people who predominantly rely on TV and trust it as if it were the 1960's or 1970's. In the 1980's and 1990's the uber wealthy TV station owners started manipulating voters' perceptions to get their pols elected into government. Once in, their pols began changing the FDR era FCC rules so that they would suit the owners - not the American public.

George Orwell's book Animal Farm captured the malfeasance described above, along with the ignorance of the public in paying attention to the changes, let alone figuring out what the leaders were doing, and fixing it.

Veterans Administration Firings. As of early March 2025, the Trump Administration fired over 6,000 veterans working in the government, many of whom had physical disabilities. According to a March 6, 2025 report in American Legion magazine, the Trump Administration is targeting reducing the Veterans Administration by 83,000 positions, leaving these veterans with no means of feeding themselves or their families. See image at right.

trump beautiful bill 2025 trump booty filled bill 2025 cuts medicaid cuts veterans jobs cuts healthcare cuts clean energy cuts education extends the super rich tax breaks screws the middle and lower classes bend overThe REAL REASON the federal government is running a deficit - is because Presidents Reagan, Bush Jr. and Trump all gave the rich huge tax cuts, which they funded by dumping debt on America's children. It's not because the federal government is bloated. After months of telling us waste, fraud and abuse, they came up with about $60 billion in cuts - but those were to the Air Traffic Control System which anyone who's flown into or out of Newark Airport knows wasn't a good idea. They cut investments in clean energy, which anyone who's been paying attention, knows that that is not an intelligent choice if you expect to live more than the next 10 - 20 years. They are cutting the federal government's compliance function like the IRS and 17 Inspectors General who make sure we have little waste, fraud and abuse. Why? So people like Musk, who do business with the federal government don't have to answer to the public. And as you can see by the American Legion headline above, they're going to cut the hell out of the VA.

 

 



NYC Memorial Day Parades - All 5 Boros Memorial Day Parades Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx Staten Island NYC

 

NYC Memorial Day Parades in All 5 Boroughs of NYC 2025

Memorial Day Parades in All 5 Boroughs of NYC - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island

May 23, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Parades & Holidays / Gotham Buzz NYC.

memorial day parades all 5 boroughs nyc memorial day parades nycThis report details a number of upcoming Memorial Day Weekend parades in all five boroughs of NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.

NYC Weather Forecast as of 5.23.25. No rain Saturday, Sunday or Monday. The temperature highs will rise from 60 on Friday to about 70 for the rest of the weekend. The temperature lows will rise from the low to mid 50's Friday thru Sunday, rising to about 60 on Monday. The winds will range from 5 - 10 mph all weekend. And the humidity will remain steady all weekend at a very comfortable 50%. So, while cloudy, an almost perfect three day holiday weekend.

 

 



Things To Do Memorial Day Weekend in NYC - Memorial Day Weekend Events NYC

Memorial Day Weekend Things To Do in NYC

Things To Do in NYC over the Memorial Day Weekend

staten island things to do memorial day weekend staten island memorial day weekend si nycMay 19, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Memorial Day weekend is almost here.

NYC Weather Forecast as of 5.18.25
. The weekend is still an entire work week away, but that said things are looking good at this point. No rain on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday for starters. But this is an early forecast. The temperature highs will rise from 60 on Friday to about 70 for the rest of the weekend. The temperature lows will rise from the low to mid 50's Friday thru Sunday, rising to about 60 on Monday. The winds will range from 5 - 10 mph all weekend. And the humidity will remain steady all weekend at a very comfortable 50%. So, while cloudy, an almost perfect three day holiday weekend. We'll update on Friday.

 

CLICK here for links to things to do in NYC on Memorial Day Weekend in all five boroughs / Memorial Day events NYC.

 



NYC Mothers Day Restaurants - Moms Day Brunches Lunches Dinners in NYC Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

nyc mothers day restaurants nyc moms day brunches dinners nyc


Mothers Day Restaurants in NYC 2025

A Day to Honor Those who Carried and Birthed Us, & So Much More

nyc mothers day restaurants nyc mothers day brunch all 5 boroughs boros nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc moms day places to eat nycMay 9, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Restaurants / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather. Expect over a half inch of rain Friday, winding down about 6 pm and then dry for the rest of the weekend. The temperature highs will start around 60 on Friday, rising to the low 70's on Saturday and rising again to the high 70's on Sunday. The temperature lows will be in the mid 50's all weekend. The winds will range from 5 - 10 mph on Friday and Sunday, rising to 10 - 15 mph on Saturday. The humidity will start around 80% on Friday, falling to 50% on Saturday and then 40% on Sunday.

Also see our front page for other things to do this Mothers Day weekend.

 

We posted a number of different reports, one for each borough, each of which provides a wide range of Mothers Day restaurant suggestions. We try to identify restaurants with unique ambiance, savory dining and / or favorable prices that are open and ready to accommodate families on Mothers Day.

 



GB 568

 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

5 Boro Bike Ride, Janes Walk History & Architecture Weekend all 5 Boros NYC; Stone Street Cinco de Mayo Festival, Clio Art Fair, Macy's Flower Show & Buena Vista Social Club Continue in Manhattan; Closing Reception 'Free Your Mind' at JCAL, Cinco de Mayo at Kupferberg, 63rd & Myrtle Avenue Spring Fairs in Queens; Church Avenue Festival, Luna Park Opens on Coney Island Brooklyn; Run the Bronx & Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Fair in the Bronx; Yankee Peddler Day in Historic Richmond Town & Spring Outdoor Market at the Conference House on Staten Island - Next Week Met Gala, Bronx Weeks begin, Bronx Arts Ensemble, FEC No Demolition NYCHA & CUNY Jazz Festival in Washington Heights

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsUpdated May 3, 2025 vs 5.1.25 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 6.02 am. Sunset 7.52 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 13 hours & 58 minutes of daylight or four hours and 43 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark.

NYC Weather. There's a 50% - 60% chance of a half inch of rain after 4 pm on Saturday, and a 40% - 60% chance of over a half inch of rain on Sunday. Definitely manageable. The temperature highs will rise from about 70 degrees on Thursday, to about 80 on Friday and Saturday, before falling back a bit to about 70 degrees on Sunday. The temperature lows will be around 60 degrees all weekend. The humidity will rise from 40% on Thursday morning to 70% later in the day. For the rest of the weekend the humidity will range between 60% - 80%. The winds will range between 5 - 10 mph all weekend.

The photo above or at right was taken earlier this week. Notice the man sitting on a ledge in the top left portion of the photo. Folks were out enmasse, enjoying the unseasonally warm weather.

 

Saturday Very Early AM Edition @ 2 am. Done. FYI - a few weeks ago we did a major Spring cleaning update to the street fairs and farmers markets to reflect the coming months / season of outdoor activities, which you can find by using the links below. Henceforth we will be updating either weekly or as needed.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsFriday, Saturday & Sunday, May 2, 3 & 4, 2025 at various times but generally from 10 am to 5 pm - Janes Walk Weekend - at 200 locations in all five boroughs. Various art, culture, history and architectural tours throughout all five boros of NYC. Free. They describe the event as follows, " ... MAS staff organize a fleet of volunteer walk leaders, to create 200+ FREE, in-person, virtual, and on-demand walks with over 10,000 participants ... During Jane’s Walk NYC weekend, the simple act of exploring the city is enhanced with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement."... Organized by the Municipal Art Society. Not a street fair so much as a streets tour. For details including a map of locations, copy & paste - https://www.mas.org/janes-walk-nyc-2025/

In the photo above or at right, you can see a number of shops lined up along the subway and street. Small merchants around NYC and the nation, like Wall Street, are nervous about the prospect that Trump tariffs and disruptions, could have a negative impact on their businesses and livelihoods.

Sunday, May 4, 2025 first wave beginning at 7.30 am & officially over at 6 pm - 5 Boro Bike Ride. It starts between Canal Street and the Battery in Manhattan, depending on the cyclist wave folks are in. And it ends at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. Not a street fair per se, but rather a major cycling event. For details, copy & paste - https://www.bike.nyc

Thursday & Friday, May 8 & 9, 2025 from 12 noon to 10 pm - CUNY Jazz Festival - in Aaron Davis Hall at [it's either 129 or the flyer says 160] Convent Avenue in Washington Heights Manhattan NYC. For details see - https://jazz.ccnysites.cuny.edu/contact/

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

 


Things to do in NYC April 2025 - April Events NYC 2025

 

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Car-Free Earth Day All Boros in NYC; Sikh & Persian Day Parades, AIPAD Photography Show, Macy's Flower Show, International Auto Show, Ibsen's Ghosts & Buena Vista Social Club Continue in Manhattan; Astoria Multi-Cultural Festival, Thai New Year at Qns Boro Hall & Climate Arts Fest at the Botanical Garden in Queens; Tastes of BedStuy, FAD Earth Day Market & Luna Park Open Weekends on Coney Island Brooklyn; 1st Bronx Night Market of Season at Fordham Plaza, Brady Court Community Event & Mexican Modernism ending at the NYBG in the Bronx; Sri Lankan New Year Fest, St. Andrew Spring Fair & Eid Festival at Snug Harbor on Staten Island

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsApril 25, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Sunrise 6.02 am. Sunset 7.46 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting 13 hours & 44 minutes of daylight or four hours and 29 more minutes of sunlight than we were getting the weekend of the Winter Solstice, on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year at 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Spring began Thursday, March 20, 2025, which is also the Spring Equinox, when the day is 12 hours long - half daylight and half dark.

NYC Weather. There's a sure chance of about a half inch of rain Saturday, mostly in the morning, with a 50% chance of a small amount expected after 2 pm. The rest of the weekend should be dry but cloudy. The temperature highs will be in the mid 60's Friday, dropping to the mid 50's on Saturday and then returning to about 60 on Sunday. The temperature lows will be about 50 on Friday, dropping to about 40 for the rest of the weekend. It's going to be a windy weekend starting on Friday at 10 mph, rising to 17 mph on Saturday and then falling back to 10 mph on Sunday. The humidity will be about 70% on Friday, 80% on Saturday, and falling back into the 65% range on Sunday.

The photo above or at right, was taken earlier this week, at the newly remodeled Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.

 

Friday Evening Edition @ 9.30 pm. Mostly done. FYI - three weeks ago we did a major Spring cleaning update to the street fairs and farmers markets to reflect the coming months / season of outdoor activities, which you can find by using the links below. Henceforth we will be updating either weekly or as needed.

 

Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week in NYC

Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10 am to 4 pm - NYC DOT Earth Day / Declares 54 Car Free Streets - in all five boroughs of NYC. At various locations around NYC including (locations) in each borough - Bronx (9), Brooklyn (19), Manhattan (16), Queens (8) and Staten Island (2). For details and interactive map of 2025 locations, copy & paste - https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/earthday.shtml

Saturday, June 14, 2025 is the Deadline to Register to Vote in the NYC Primary on June 24th. Applications must be received by the NY Board of Elections to be eligible to vote in this election. As it's a Saturday, we recommend you make sure they get it by Friday, June 13, 2025. The winner of the Democratic primary is almost always the person who becomes Mayor [Giuliani and Bloomberg were exceptions because of Rupert Murdoch's NY Post & Fox News manipulations & Bloomberg's $$$], as 56% of NYC voters identify as Democrat, and about 26% identify as Republican [other sources say these numbers are 48% & 21% respectively].

Upcoming Next Weekend an explosion of events in NYC including the 5 Boro Bike Ride and the Municipal Arts Society's Janes Walk Weekend - use the links below in each borough to see what I'm talking about.

 

 



Easter Parade, Easter Events & Easter Brunches in NYC & Boros

 

nyc easter events nyc  things to do easter nyc


 

NYC Easter Parade, Events & Services in NYC & Boros

There are Two Easters Observed in Christianity - One for Western European Christians and One for Eastern Orthodox Christians

 

April 19, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

 

Very Brief Introduction to Christian Easter Traditions

easter parade manhattan nyc easter egg hunts nyc easter brunchs brooklyn bronx queens staten island manhattan easter nycChristians observe Good Friday, which is when the Bible tells us that Jesus died on the cross. On the Sunday following Good Friday, Christians celebrate the Biblical account of Jesus rising from the dead, which is Easter.

Emperor Constantine became the Roman Emperor in 306. In 324 Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

In 1054, the Great Schism occurred, wherein Christianity split into two different sects - Roman Catholic Christians [primarily in Western Europe] and Orthodox Christians [primarily in Eastern Europe]. The traditions have much in common, but one of the differences is in how they calculate the time of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The Western European Christians [Protestants and Catholics] use the Gregorian Calendar to calculate when to celebrate Good Friday and Easter. The Gregorian calendar was created in the 16th century and made the official calendar by Pope Gregory. Orthodox Christians use the Julian Calendar, which was made law in the Roman Empire in 45 B.C. by Julius Caesar. The primary difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars is that the Gregorian calendar uses Leap Year [this year is one of them] to adjust the calendar for the 1/4 extra day per year, that to our rotation around the sun requires. Thus the calendar differences, and how the date of Easter is calculated, is why the Orthodox and Roman Catholic / Protestant Christian Easters oftentimes occur on different dates.

This year [2025] the celebrations of the two traditions are celebrated the same week, whereas in 2024 the celebrations were separated by five weeks. So both the traditional Western European Christian and the Eastern Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter the same week.

 

Next Up - The History of the Easter Bunny & Related Traditions



 

Elizabeth Street Garden in Manhattan

Updated April 5, 2025 vs 4.4.2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsThe photo above or at right was taken a couple of weeks ago in the Elizabeth Street Garden in the NoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. They are trying to get the city to preserve the area as a permanent community green space, and to build the proposed 'affordable housing' elsewhere. The city has been threatening to close the garden any day now, but given it's an election year, Adams may wait until after he loses it. We'll have an update of Eric Adams' latest shenanigans later today or over the weekend.

 

* No Foolin' - Elizabeth Street Garden Event - Tuesday, April 1, 2025

3.31.28 Manhattan _ Just in today, an event tomorrow at 4 pm, to commemorate the garden and its artistic inspirations. This is how they described the event, " ... We are calling on everyone to gather in the Garden tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4 PM to celebrate this special space. We’ll be there for a while, but please try to arrive at 4 PM if you can. We are still in federal court and doing everything we can. At this point, we're taking it day by day. If you're a painter, photographer, poet, or artist who has created something inspired by the Garden, please bring your work. We only ask that it be related to the Garden. We want to show everyone how much Elizabeth Street Garden means to our community and to New York City ...". See related story in the weekend post of 3.28.25 below, next to the E St Garden / Ramones photos. The short story also includes their website url.

 


Things to do in NYC March 2025 - March Events NYC 2025

 

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Schumer Votes in Favor of Trump & Republicans, Foley Square Protest, Multiple St. Patrick's Day Parades & Pubs, Multiple Holi Celebrations, Trump Budget Cut Protests, Buena Vista Social Club Performances, Cold Sweat at the Players Theatre & on Monday St Pat's Parade in Manhattan; 40 Shades of Green at NY Irish Center, First Look Film Series at MoMI, 3AM Theatre & LPAC Performances in Queens; St. Patrick's Day Parade, Performances of Streetcar Named Desire at BAM in Brooklyn; Bronx Rising Concert, Throggs Neck & Eastchester St. Patrick's Day Parades in & just north of the Bronx; Art Exhibit Opening Reception at the Lighthouse Museum & Federal Govt Budget Cuts Protest at Malliotakis' Office on Staten Island & Charter Revision Committee TBD

Updated March 15, 2025 vs 3.14.25 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsSunrise 7.08 am. Sunset 7.02 pm. Daylight Savings Time. We're getting two hours and 39 minutes more sunlight than we were the weekend of the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2024, which is the shortest day of the year. Spring is next Thursday, March 20, 2025, when sunrise will be at 6.58 am and sunset at 7.08 pm. The true equinox, when we have equal amount of daylight and nighttime actually falls between March 16th and 17th.

NYC Weather. Rain is expected after 6 pm on Sunday, otherwise the weekend is dry. The temperature highs will be in the mid 50's on Friday, the low 50's on Saturday and hitting 60 degrees on Sunday. The temperature lows will rise from the low 40's Friday to the high 40's Saturday to the mid 50's on Sunday. The winds will rise from about 5 mph Friday, to 5 - 10 mph Saturday to 10 - 15 mph Sunday. The humidity will rise from about 50% on Friday to 70% later in the day and then staying around 70% for the rest of the weekend.

In the photo at right is a woman walking along Canal Street a number of weeks ago. I photographed her as I was emerging from the subway beneath the streets. She has a wary look, which likely means she's a seasoned New Yorker, as one must generally stay alert at all times, while moving about the city.

Saturday Early AM Edition @ 2.30 am. Completed the weekend events. Still have a few more events for next week to add sometime later this weekend. Over the next couple of weeks, things to do in NYC really heats up.



Chuck Schumer abandons the Democrats [own party], and leads a rebel contingent of Senators including NYS Senator Gillebrant to vote in favor of Trump and the Republicans, on the Continuing Bu

 

What did Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer just do?

Were you Fully Informed of the Key Facts, Regarding the Continuing Budget Resolution, on the Billionaire-Controlled, Network TV News? Check out BSky.app & Compare to what you Learn from TV News about What's Going on in Washington, D.C.

Updated March 15, 2025 vs 3.14.25 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

chuck schumer betrays democrats schumer votes with trump republicans on continuing budget resolution senator gillebrand betrays democrats tooAn excellent example of billionaire-controlled, Network TV News priorities / manipulations, was on full display this month. An American college student gone missing on Spring break in the Dominican Republic, seemed to get - as much, if not more airtime and 'investigative coverage' - than the budget negotiations between Republicans and Democrats.

TV News 'The' Disinformation Medium. Ask yourself WHY this particular missing college student has become such a HUGE Network TV News story, when 600,000 people go missing in the U.S. every year? Are the billionaire controlled Network News outlets trying to distract their viewers from what's going on in Washington, D.C. by giving the truly important stories less airtime while filling up their broadcasts with sensational horror stories?

The budget negotiations included a huge transfer of federally elected representatives' power [aka your power] from the legislative branch to the executive branch of government, as well as cuts of tens of billions of dollars to previously approved federal programs.

So, ask yourself, which of these news stories is of more concern to you? Which of these stories of more actionable by you? And which of these stories appears to be what might be a tragic human interest story, used by billionaire controlled Network TV News, as a ratings chasing headline / audience distraction?

CLICK here to view the rest of our report on how Chuck Schumer abandons the Democrats [own party], and leads a rebel contingent of Senators including NYS Senator Gillebrand to vote in favor of Trump and the Republicans, on the Continuing Budget Resolution of March 2025.



Choosing the Next NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie & Michael Blake

 

Choosing the Next NYC Mayor

Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie & Michael Blake

Updated March 1, 2025 vs 2/28/2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC. This report was first published embedded in the WTD.

1) Watch Polls & Funding

Choosing the Next NYC Mayor

Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie & Michael Blake, nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsI attended what I believe may have been the first Mayoral candidate forum a couple of weeks ago. I haven't yet published my report on it, but hope to do so next week. In the meantime we've been focusing on Mayor Adams, who is still one of the three leading candidates.

Adams slipped to number three [10%] in recent polling [last week], behind Andrew Cuomo [38%] who has not yet announced his candidacy, and Zohran Mamdani [12%]. The only two other candidates above 5% are Brad Lander [7%] and Scott Stringer [5%].

At present, Adams and Lander, both of whom are funded by the real estate developer and investment communities, are leading with cash on hand, with over $3 million apiece. But that doesn't tell the whole tale, as NYC Mayoral wild card Zohran Mamdani qualified for matching funds last week. The matching funds raised Mamdani's funding to $2.8 million. Given Mamdani raised it from 55,000 people, is impressive - and perhaps more importantly - he has momentum, which none of the other candidates have. And unlike Andrew Cuomo who stepped down as NYS Governor because of sexual harassment complaints, Mamdani has little baggage. Cuomo's other big baggage includes both the CoVid Nursing Home scandal and Albany Corruption scandal.

The Democratic NYC Mayoral primary is June 24, 2025. Be sure to register and absentee vote if you won't be here.

 



nyc holidays parades things to do nyc holiday events parades nyc all 5 boros manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island holidays parades nyc

NYC Holidays & Parades - Things To Do Holiday Celebrations in NYC

Jul 04, 2025 at 12:15 am by mikewood

Things To Do Holiday Weekends NYC Dining, Art, Theater, Parks, Biking, Kyaking, Bicylcing & Music July 4, 2025 / Gotham Buzz. This page contains a number of interest.... Read More
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NYC Farmers Markets - Green Markets in NYC Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

Mar 17, 2025 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  NYC Farmers Markets 2025 - Times, Dates, Locations & Selection Year Round Farmers Markets in NYC & Seasonal Markets in Full Swing March 16, 2025 / NYC Neig.... Read More
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NYC Street Fairs & Festivals NYC - St Fairs & Festivals in Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

Jul 04, 2025 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  Street Fairs & Festivals in NYC 2025 Street Fairs & Festivals in all Five Boroughs of NYC including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Staten Is.... Read More
Is Eric Adams Using the Power of the Mayor's Office to Protect his Personal Interests, instead of Using the Power in Pursuit of the Public's Interests?

 

Is Eric Adams Using the Power of the Mayor's Office to Protect his Personal Interests, instead of Using the Power in Pursuit of the Public's Interests?

February 21, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC. This report was first published embedded in the WTD.

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsThis was quite a week for Mayor Eric Adams. Starting a week ago, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, SEVEN U.S. Department of Justice attorneys decided to hand in their resignations, rather than file a motion to drop the corruption case of the United States against Eric Adams.

Eric Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges, which according to a February 15, 2025 report by the BBC include,

" ...  five separate criminal counts, including "conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals", wire fraud, two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national and bribery ...".

In resigning, the now former U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten wrote,

" ... If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice [not to withdraw the case], then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion ...".

The U.S. Attorneys were asked to file the motion to withdraw the case by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. Apparently, U.S. Attorney Edward Sullivan stepped up to file the motion, but not because he was a fool or a coward, but rather reportedly to spare the firings of many of the other attorneys in the Public Integrity section of the Department of Justice [DOJ] where the case and subsequent motion were filed.

 

A Sad Litany of Events Reveals Both Adams' and Trump's Lack of Integrity

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsTrump Tries to Withdraw Adams Case without Prejudice. So, consider this, these seven highly paid professional U.S. federal prosecutors forfeited their income and their positions, because they refused to follow the orders of Trump's Acting Deputy Attorney General, Emil Bove, who apparently was instructed by Trump to withdraw the case without prejudice.

This is an important detail [withdrawing without prejudice], because to withdraw the case without prejudice means that Trump's Department of Justice [aka DOJ] wants to, " ... terminate [the] case, allowing the plaintiff [the DOJ] to refile the claim in the future. This [kind of] dismissal is not an adjudication on the merits, meaning the court has not addressed the substantive issues [and] ... It often arises from procedural or technical deficiencies, such as improper service of process or lack of jurisdiction ...". So, this begs the following question.

 



The Two-Faces of Eric Adams - Adams Reportedly Exploring a Mayoral Run on the Republican Ballot

 

The Two-Faces of Eric Adams

Adams Reportedly Exploring a Mayoral Run on the Republican Ballot

February 14, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC. This report was first published embedded in the WTD.

Eric Adams - Getting Stuff Done for the Billionaires who have funded his campaigns and legal billsLaw Enforcer or Law Breaker? Well, it seems we're beginning to uncover all of the deceptive masks Eric Adams has been wearing most of his adult life. He went from being a member of the NYPD to allegedly being a criminal of an unknown degree - because he sought a pardon, even before he went to court.

Democrat or Republican? In the late 1990's Eric Adams became a Republican, then switched [back] to becoming a Democrat in early 2000. He's now reportedly exploring a second bid for Mayor, possibly as a Republican, given how badly he has alienated the Democrats who voted for him in the last election.

To show how quickly things are unraveling for Eric Adams, consider this. The Reverend Al Sharpton, one of Adams strongest supporters, criticized the Department of Justice for trying to drop the case against Adams. As recently as MLK Day [January 20th, 2025], Sharpton wanted Adams to attend an MLK event in NYC. But Adams ditched his pre-scheduled MLK events in NYC to attend Trump's Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

In the graphic above or at right is a smiling Eric Adams, who according to the headline is reportedly exploring a mayoral run on the Republican party ballot.

While Adams may have disappointed a lot of moderate voters with his City of Yes zoning law changes, he has greatly pleased the very wealthy real estate industry investors and developers who have funded his campaigns and legal bills. With their funding, Adams may be able to flood the media airwaves with enough paid narratives about who he is and what he has done, to make a credible second run - even as a Republican.

 



NYC St Patricks Day Pubs Bars & Restaurants - Places to Celebrate St Pats Day in NYC Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx Staten Island

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St Pat's Day NYC 2025 - Irish Pubs, Bars & Restaurants in NYC 2025

Most Irish Pubs, Bars & Restaurants We Cover Survived & Are Ready to Party, but Remember Reduced Capacity Seating Offset by Outdoor Seating & CoVid Guidelines Still Apply

nyc irish pubs st pats day bars restaurants manhattan queens bronx brooklyn staten island st patricks day irish pubs bars restaurants nycMarch 10, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Irish Pubs Bars & Restaurants / Gotham Buzz NYC.

St Patrick's Day is on a Monday this year.

We're only a week away from St. Patrick's Day 2025. Four years ago we were all waking up to a new reality ... the CoVid pandemic. So back then the NYC St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan was hugely scaled down ... and many in the outer boroughs were cancelled. But in 2023 and 2024 they all returned in spades, so that this year we're back to normal.

Restaurants and bars have long settled back into normal and many have kept the outdoor dining. See the weekend post for a current weather forecast for St. Patrick's Day weekend, but the daytime temperatures are generally in the 40's and 50's and as it's March, there's generally a possibility of precipitation, but each year gets drier due to climate change.

We've compiled a set of Irish pubs, bars and restaurants in each borough for you to peruse, if you're contemplating going out before or after the parades that span the entire month. Please remember, that like New Years Eve, all the amateur drinkers come out, many of whom are not Irish, so to all, please be respectful of others.

That said, enjoy yourself, drink responsibly, so that the day after your St. Patricks Day celebration is also a good one .



St Pats Day Parades in NYC - All 5 Boros

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St Pats Day Parades in All 5 Boros of NYC 2025

This is a Look at All of the Upcoming St Patricks Day Parades, Including Photos of those We've Covered Over the Years with Links to a Page Containing Photos and Descriptions of Some of the Best Irish Pubs in Each Borough

nyc things to do nyc things to do this weekend nycMarch 10, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

 

NYC Weather. See Friday / Weekend post by clicking the header above.

The photo at right was taken at the St Pats for All Parade in Sunnyside Queens.

The Saga of Banning Gays from St Patricks Day Parades in NYC ended this year [2025], when Staten Island finally relented and started allowing gay people to march in their parade.

The Sunnyside St Pat's For All Parade was created to allow LGBTQ folks to march in a St Patricks Day parade at a time when all of the others banned LGBTQ from marching in their parades. As of March 1, 2024 there's only one St. Patrick's Day parade that continues to discriminate against people whose gender isn't totally traditional / binary. And there seems to be a pretty large groundswell of support for ending the discrimination, as a second Staten Island St. Patrick's Day event was started last year by the LGBTQ community, which this year has morphed into a full blown parade on March 17th. Some Catholics cite the Bible as their justification for the ongoing discrimination, but it's unclear whether such an interpretation of a text that has been translated from Hebrew, to Greek, to Latin, to English would hold up under greater scrutiny. And why would a just God discriminate a member of his against his own creation?

 

Each Borough Has its Own Parade

Parades, Pubs and Restaurants in Each Borough. Each borough has at least one or more St. Patrick's Day parade. As we've covered most of them, we've included links to our reports of each St. Patricks Day Parade to provide you with further details of the experience of attending. We've also included links to some of the best or oldest Irish pubs and restaurants in each borough. As this is by no means a comprehensive list, and we will continue refining this report as we learn more about the Irish pubs and restaurants in each borough of NYC.

How this page is organized. We've organized this page first by borough and then by date. The parades span the month, and even though ... the official feast date for St. Patrick is March 17th, the date of the Manhattan St. Patrick's Day parade is March 16, 2024 because as a tradition they don't march on Sundays, which in the Catholic religion is the Lord's Day. The Manhattan St Patrick's Day parade is the largest in NYC.

The LGBTQ Parade Participation Issue Appears to be Abating. In 2000 the St Pats for All parade was first launched in Sunnyside, Queens to protest the banning of gays from marching in the Manhattan St Pats Day Parade. In 2014 / 2015 the Manhattan Parade opened up its participation rules to allow gays to march. In 2020 the Throgs Neck parade in the Bronx opened up its participation to gays. At present only the Staten Island parade continues to ban LGBTQ community members from participating in the parade as openly gay people. The Staten Island ban continues in 2024 by the traditional parade organizers, but they now have competition as a new LGBTQ friendly parade will be marching on March 17, 2024.



Why Isn't TV News Talking About the Real Reason for American Budget Deficits & Debt?

Why Isn't TV News Talking About the Real Reason for American Budget Deficits & Debt?

Which are the Huge Republican Tax Cuts for Billionaires that Started with Ronald Reagan in the 1980's, Continued with George W. Bush in the 00's and got a Huge Third Boost from Trump in 2017

February 14, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC. This report was first published embedded in the WTD.

tv news amplifies trump musk deceits & lies, tv news failing americans & new yorkers by omitting key facts context, tv newspeople are cluelessWhy aren't the billionaire controlled TV networks talking about WHY Trump is cutting so many people and other resources from the federal government? Why are they aiding and abetting the unsubstantiated, and hence to date false, narratives that Trump and Musk are cutting fat, bureaucracy and corruption.

Why are they failing to inform the nation that a lot of the federal government programs that are being cut are dedicated to helping people stay healthy and safe, elevate themselves, and achieve the American Dream? The priority targeted departments that Trump / Musk are trying to cut enable Americans to stay healthy, get a good education and avoid being ripped off by nefarious financial institutions. These categories appear to be the priority targeted cuts announced so far.

To date Trump has signed and announced nearly 100 Executive Orders - some of which appear to be illegal - and are being contested in the courts. Among the Executive Orders are some, that are cutting programs designed to help people stay healthy, get a good education and avoid abuse by financial firms. Here are just a few of them.

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsTrump announced that the U.S. is exiting from the World Health Organization [WHO - helps manage global disease breakouts], cuttingthe budgets of the National Institute of Health [NIH - health / scientific research] and cutting the Center for Disease Control [CDC], without doing some sort of in-depth analysis first. Trump announced he's cutting most of the Department of Education. And he's announced he's going to try to cut the entire Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB].

As we saw in this last election, TV News fails to do an effective job of informing / educating Americans. In the election they failed to inform Americans about the state of the economy [good] and currently they are failing to inform Americans as to why these federal agencies and departments perform important functions that help keep America the promised land, by protecting our collective health, investing in our nation's education / future and protecting consumers from financial abuse.

TV Network News doesn't say a single word about why Trump / Musk are REALLY cutting so many federal government services so quickly.

 



NYC Valentines Day Restaurants - NYC Romantic Restaurants Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

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Valentines Day Restaurants in NYC 2025

Dining Out on Valentine's Day 2025 in the 5 Boros of NYC

nyc valentines day restaurants nyc romantic restaurants all five boros nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nycFebruary 10, 2025 / NYC Restaurants / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz NYC.

 

WORK IN PROGRESS.

 

Three weeks from next Wednesda is Valentine's Day in NYC. We are working on a roundup of romantic and Valentines restaurants in NYC by borough that will be offering indoor and / or outdoor dining and specials on that day.

One thing worth noting is that with outdoor seating and Valentines Day falling on a week day - depending on your loved one's desire for dining specifically on Valentines Day - you should have good luck in booking a reservation. 

So, here are links to Valentine's Day dining in all five of NYC boroughs - by borough. We also identify a number of restaurants have closed since the pandemic began.



NYC Things To Do Presidents Day Weekend - Events Presidents Day NYC

 

nyc presidents day weekend things to do presidents day weekend events nyc


Things To Do Presidents Day Weekend in All 5 Boros of NYC

nyc things to do presidents day weekend nyc presidents day weekend events nycFebruary 14, 2025 / Things To Do NYC / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Presidents Day Weekend is three weeks away. For many, not all, it's a three day weekend. This means the Post Office and most federal, state and oftentimes municipal offices are also closed.

 

WHAT FOLLOWS IS GENERALLY STILL RELEVANT, BUT LAST UPDATED IN 2023.

 

NYC Weather Presidents Day Weekend. Be aware that this forcast is a full three weeks out and subject to significant change by the time the weekend arrives. But that said, as of this post 1/31/23 the temperature highs will be in the mid 40's, and the temperature lows will be in the around 30 degrees. Precipitation. There isn't any rain forecast for the Presidents Day Weekend, as of this post. Winds. Generally they're 5 - 10 mph. Humidity. It's been a very warm and dry winter and it's expected to continue. As of this post humidity is expected around 50%.  Click for NYC Weather.



Things to do in NYC February 2025 - February Events NYC 2025

 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Eric Adams & Donald Trump; Lunar New Year Fair & Lion Dance in / near Chinatown, BIPOC Dance Residency Try Outs, Buried Beneath the City, Final Weekend for Edges of Ailey at the Whitney in Manhattan; Brooklyn Wine Fest & Rachel Wren Art Opening Party at the Shirley Project in Brooklyn; Last Weekend of the Triborough Film Festival in Astoria, Modern Dance & Blarney Concert in LIC in Queens; Chocolate & Wine at the Bartow Pell Mansion, MLB Yankee Stadium Tours & Next Week Ponce Bank Small Business Boot Camp in the Bronx; Lighthouses are for Lovers at Francesco's & Galentines Day at Casa Belvedere on Staten Island. Work in Progress 2025 Year Round Indoor & Outdoor Markets and Some Open Calls

February 7, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsNYC Weather. Sunrise 7 am. Sunset 5.20 pm. We're getting an hour and five more minutes of sunlight than we were the weekend of the Winter solstice in late December. Spring Forward Daylight Savings Time is Sunday, March 9th, 2025 - only four weeks away.

Saturday evening we're expecting about 5 inches of snow between the hours of 6 pm and Sunday 8 am. The temperature highs will hit 40 on Friday before descending into the mid 30's the rest of the weekend. The temperature lows will remain between 25 and 30 degrees all weekend. The humidity will range from 30% - 40% Friday, rising from 30% to 70% on Saturday, before tapering off between 50% - 60% on Sunday. The winds will be 10 - 15 mph Friday, falling to 5 - 10 mph for the rest of the weekend.

The photo at right was taken at the Georges Berges Gallery at 462 West Broadway [at Houston] in SoHo a couple of weeks ago. There's a group show, entitled Tarot, at the gallery, which runs through February 28th, and it's well worth a visit. The images in the painting change when you move.

 

Friday Evening Edition 11.15 pm. Done with this Weekend report so you're good to go. Some related work in progress should finally commence con brio this weekend.

CLICK here for things to do this weekend in February in all five boroughs of NYC 2025 events NYC.



NYC Things to do Martin Luther King Weekend - MLK Events NYC

 

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Martin Luther King Day Weekend Events / Things To Do in NYC

Things To Do in NYC over the MLK Day Weekend

nyc things to do mlk day weekend nyc manhattan bronx queens brooklyn staten island mlk day weekend events nycJanuary 17, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather as of 1.17.2025. Sunrise 7.16 am. Sunset 4.56 pm. We're getting 25 more minutes of sunlight than we were the weekend of the Winter solstice in late December.

This weekend we could get 1/10th inch of rain concentrated between 1 and 4 pm Saturday or none at all. And on Sunday there's an 80% - 90% chance we'll get two or more inches of snow between 1 pm and 9 pm. Monday is cloudy, but no precipitation is expected.

The temperature highs will be in the mid 40's Friday, the low 40's Saturday, falling to the mid 30's on Sunday and then to the mid teens on Monday. The temperature lows will be in the low 30's on Friday and Saturday, falling to the high teens on Sunday and dropping to about 10 on Monday. Most of next week will range from the high single digits up to 30 by next Friday, so enjoy the weekend, as it will be followed by a cold week. The winds will be 5 - 12 mph all weekend, at the lower end on Friday and Saturday, and at the higher end on Sunday and Monday. The humidity will rise from between 50% - 60% Friday, up to between 70% to 80% on Sunday, and again dropping to 50% to 60% on Monday.

 



Things to do in NYC January 2025 - January Events NYC 2025

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Buried Beneath the City & Baby Bonds in NYC; Winter Jazz Fest in Brooklyn & Manhattan, Mulchfest in NYC, Femme Collective at the 14th Street Y, Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library in Manhattan, Digital Illustrations at BAM in Brooklyn; Curators Choice Films at MoMI & last Weekend of the Affordable Art Fair in Queens; Holiday Train Show at the NYBG in the Bronx; Hot Rock Yacht Revue on Staten Island & Year Round Indoor & Outdoor Markets [coming] and Some Open Calls [coming], as we Gear Up Again for 2025, beginning with MLK Day next Weekend, followed by the Chinese New Year of the Snake (c'est appropo?)

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc events

January 10, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather. Sunrise 7.19 am. Sunset 4.48 pm. The days are longer by 14 minutes of sunlight, versus the week of the Winter solstice in late December. Yahoo?

The temperature highs will be in the mid to high 30's on Friday and Saturday, rising to 40 on Sunday. The temperature lows will be around 30 all weekend. The winds will be 5 - 10 mph all weekend, at the lower end on Friday and Sunday and at the higher end on Saturday. The humidity will generally range between 55% - 65%, except in the latter part of Friday when it will dip into the low 40% range. No precipitation is expected.

The photo at right was taken along Park Avenue near Lever House in Midtown Manhattan, on the last weekend of December. The MetLife Building [renamed in 1992], which was originally erected in 1963 as the PanAm Building, is located in the background, colored in blue light.

 

Saturday late morning edition at 11.15 am. Mostly done except the markets and open calls which will be updated over the weekend and coming week.

CLICK here to view our report on things to do this weekend in all five boroughs of NYC January 2025 events NYC.



New Years Resolutions NYC: The Road Ahead

 

New Years Resolutions 2025: The Road Ahead

A Few Axioms To Keep In Mind Throughout The New Year

new years resolutions nyc nysJanuary 1, 2025 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

For all of us, today starts the beginning of a new year. It's an opportunity to start anew. And even if we don't fulfill our highest expectations, moving the needle in the right direction, is always a good thing.

The rest of this report is about some of the things you can do personally to make 2025 a better year for you.



NYC New Years Eve Parties - NYE Parties in NYC All 5 Boros Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

nyc new years eve parties nyc new years eve restaurants nyc new years day parties resrtaurants all 5 boros nyc

New Years Eve Parties NYC & NYE Parties & Events NYC 2024 / 2025

We're Looking Forward to an Uneventful & Enjoyable New Years Eve

December 29, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

nyc new years eve parties nyc new years eve restaurants new years eve NYE parties bronx manhattan brooklyn queens staten island nyc nyeMW _ CK vs 2023. Weather Forecast. NYE Sunrise in NYC - 7.20 am. NYE Sunset in NYC - 4.38 pm. The temperature highs will be in the mid 50's on Friday, dropping to the mid 40's for the rest of the three day holiday weekend including Monday. The temperature lows will be around 40 through Sunday, dropping into the low 30's on Monday. Humidity will be around 70% on Friday, descending into the 60's for the rest of the three day weekend. The winds will be about 8 to 10 mph on Friday & Saturday, dropping to about 5 to 7 mph on Sunday and Monday. No precipitation is in the forecast, although it will be cloudy all days except NYE Sunday. Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Historical Weather Forecast for New Years Eve. The typical weather since 1907 on New Years Eve in NYC at Times Square is about 34 degrees. Global warming is likely to alter that as a forecast, meaning it will likely be warmer as it has been the past couple of decades.

Here are links to some New Years Eve parties and events planned around the five boroughs. These pages are in the process of being updated and we expect to finish them sometime around December 18, 19 & 20, 2023. But you can browse the restaurants and see what they did last year and if you're interested we've included contact information as well.



NYC Things to do the last Week of December in NYC - End of Year Events NYC

 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year Weekend with Holiday Markets, Holiday Events & NYE Parties - are Some of the Top Things to do this Weekend & Next Weekend in NYC

things to do this weekend nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc weekend events

December 26, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather. Sunrise 7.18 am. Sunset 4.35 pm. For the first time since June, the days are starting to get longer. We're up 2 minutes of sunlight versus last week.

It looks to be a rainy weekend, on both Saturday [1/3 inch] and Sunday [over 3/4 inch]. There are bound to be plenty of times, during both days, when there's little rain falling; so be brave, and don't let a little water stop you from enjoying your precious time with family and friends.

The temperature highs will rise from about 30 on Thursday, to 34 on Friday, 44 on Saturday, and into the low 50's on Sunday. The temperature lows will rise from the mid teens on Thursday, to the high 20's on Friday, into the low 40's on Saturday and Sunday. The winds will range from 5 - 7 mph on Thursday and Friday, kicking up to 5 - 10 mph Saturday and then again up to 15 mph on Sunday. It's going to be a humid weekend ranging from 70% on Thursday up to 90% on Sunday. These temperature statistics are unusually high for this time of year versus historical norms.

The photo at right, taken in Sunnyside Queens a year ago this week, shows an example of the holiday home decorations one can find in the five boroughs of NYC.

This weekend use the links below to find holiday events, holiday markets and look for things to do over the New Years Eve weekend. We'll be updating the NYE pages over the weekend.



Things to do in NYC December 2024 - December Events NYC 2024

 

** Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Thanksgiving Ends and Black Friday Begins (see holiday market links for each boro), Holiday Markets, Vintage Subway Car Rides Begin and Toy Train Show in Manhattan; Affordable Art Fair in Queens; Park Slope BID Tree Lighting, Dyker Heights Neighborhood Christmas Lights, Frost Fest @ Coney Isle, Lightscape Show @ BBG, Brooklyn Flea & Flip Circus in Brooklyn; NYBG Holiday Train Show, Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights & Yankee Stadium Tours in the Bronx; and Holiday Markets on Staten Island

Updated _ things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsDecember 3, 2024 vs 11.29.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather Forecast as of 11.29.24. But first - Sunrise 6.59 am & Sunset at 4.29 pm. The drought continues with no precipitation in the forecast. The temperature highs will be in the high 40's on Friday, and then about 40 for Saturday and Sunday. The temperature lows will be in the mid to low 30's all weekend. The winds will be 5 - 10 mph all weekend. It's going to be a very dry weekend with the humidity generally ranging from 20% - 30%.

The photo at right shows pedestrian traffic in Grand Central Terminal in November around the Thanksgiving holiday. This year Americans are expected to break Thanksgiving travel records again, with some 71 million traveling more the 50 miles from home by car, and an additional 18 million Americans flying over the holiday. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year.

Saturday Afternoon Edition around 2 pm. We're mostly done for this weekend, but then again, we're never really done as this is an ongoing continuous work in process ... kind of like life itself. It looks to be another busy and good, but back to seasonal, weather weekend. Enjoy.

CLICK here for things to do this weekend in Manhattan December 2024 events NYC.

 



NYC Holiday Events - Holiday Concerts Christmas Tree Lightings Hanukkah Kwanzaa Candle Lightings in NY

nyc holiday events nyc holiday things to do nyc holiday events & things to do nyc all 5 boros

NYC Holiday Events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & Staten Island

Christmas Tree Lightings, Hanukkah Menorah Lightings, Kwanzaa Candle Lightings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & on Staten Island NYC

nyc things to do holidays nyc holiday events november december nyc christmas tree lighthings hanukkah menorah lightings kwanzaa candle lightings events all 5 boroughs boros manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc november december holiday events things to do nycDecember 7, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Holiday Events in All Five Boroughs of NYC

This section is intended to provide a compendium of a multitude of mostly free holiday communal events in all five boroughs of NYC. This is not an exhaustive list.

The photo at right was taken in the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, which goes all out for the holidays.

 



NYC Holiday Markets - Outdoor Holiday Markets in NY

nyc holiday markets nyc holiday fairs nyc outdoor holiday markets & fairs nyc all 5 boros

NYC Holiday Markets in All Five Boros New York

The Holiday Markets Seem Back to Normal This Year

December 7, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

OL.

nyc holiday markets shopping for the holidays november december nyc outdoor markets all 5 boroughs boros nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc christmas hanukkah kwanzaa holiday markets nycNYC Holiday Markets Forecast. I think the holiday markets should be good this year, as they are stocked with locally hand crafted goods as well as other items from around the world.

Here are links to some holiday markets planned around the five boroughs between now and the end of the year. We will continue updating as more information becomes available between now and the end of the year.



 

City of Yes Passes by a Vote of 31 - 20

Stephen Ross, REBNY Members & the Adams Family Won & NYC Lost

December 6, 2024 / NYC Real Estate & Business / NYC Government & Politics / City of Yes Special Section / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

mayor eric adams pro real estate development zoning laws tax abatements nyc nysThe City of Yes for Housing Opportunities bill passed yesterday afternoon / evening in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The City of Yes or NYC Municipal Legislative Bill - L.U. 181 & Res 689 - App. N 240290 ZRY (City of Yes Zoning for Housing Opportunity) amendment of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York, modifying multiple Sections to expand opportunities for housing within all zoning districts, Citywide. *

The photo snapshot at right shows the NYC Council voting on the City of Yes.

 

City of Yes [Wo]Men - Roll Call Vote Tally 31-20

Voting For the City of Yes Members. Carlina Rivera District 2, Eric Bottcher District 3, Keith Powers District 4, Julie Menin District 5, Gale Brewer M District 6, Shaun Abreu District 7, Diana Ayala District 8, Yusef Salaam M District 9, Carmen De La Rosa M District 10, Kevin Riley Bx District 12, Pierina Ana Sanchez District 14, Oswald Feliz District 15, Althea Stevens District 16, Rafael Salamanca Bx District 17, Amanda Farias District 18, Francisco Moya Q District 21, Tiffany Caban Q District 22, Shekar Krishnan Q District 25, Julie Won Q District 26, Nantasha Williams Q District 27, Speaker Adrienne Adams Q District 28, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers Q District 31, Lincoln Restler District 33, Jennifer Gutierrez District 34, Crystal Hudson District 35, Chi Osse District 36, Sandy Nurse District 37, Alexa Aviles District 38, Shahana Hanif District 39, Rita Joseph District 40, Justin Brannan Bk District 47.

Pay attention to the delineation of NYC Council members by the boroughs noted above by letters. Speaker Adrienne Adams delivered enough Queens council member votes (7) in favor of the legislation, which had they voted as their Community Boards did, would have killed the City of Yes bill.

Did Adrienne Adams and these NYC Council members betray the people of Queens they were elected to represent? Well, if so, keep in mind they are up for re-election in June 2025. So please educate yourself, fact check the statements made herein by using the power of the internet, and then after you've done enough research to know what's true, start spreading the news and get behind people who will represent you, the voters, not the big money that funded their campaigns.

Voting in the Negative. Joann Ariola District 32, Chris Banks District 42, Joseph C. Borelli District 51, David Carr District 50, Eric Dinowitz District 11, James Gennaro District 24, Kamillah Hanks District 49, Robert Holden District 30, Linda Lee District 23, Farah N. Louis District 45, Kristy Marmorato District 13, Christopher Marte District 1, Diane Mealy District 41, Mercedes Narcisse District 46, Vickie Paladino District 19, Lynn Schulman District 29, Sandra Ung District 20, Inna Vernikov District 48, Kalmar Yeger District 44, Susan Zhuang District 43.

We will keep this roll call of the vote on our site indefinitely in the City of Yes Special Report Section, because you, the voters, can use it as one benchmark vote, that helps you understand who is representing you, and how they are representing you. This becomes particularly important as there is the Democratic Primary in June 24, 2025 and the general election is November 4, 2025. Almost all of the elections are decided in the June primary because 56% of NYC is Democratic and only 26% is Republican. The remaining 18% are independent.

* Editor's Note.  The summary of the bill leaves out the part about the NYC Council members forfeiting their power, and because they represent us, they are forfeiting our power and legal rights to weigh in on new developments in our neighborhoods.  The summary also leaves out the part where by rushed passage of the 1,388 bill, the real estate developers and international investors can harvest a huge amount of tax abatements for 'affordable housing' that would be 'affordable' to individuals making up to $141,000 and a family of three making up to $183,00 per year or making rental payments of $4575 per month.  And the summary leaves out the part about the negotiated deal, wherein how Eric Adams is going to miraculously fund the $4 billion, that magically appeared just by Eric Adams promising it, after Eric Adams tried to cut $100 million from the budgets of public schools in January 2024 and cut $22 million from the budget for public libraries as recently as November 2023.  Adams promise of $4 billion is just that, and only that - a promise - as it is NOT IN THE BUDGET. And we all know the value of a politician's promise, especially when it's made by someone like Eric Adams, who has a documented history of lying, and is managing a tight budget that doesn't have $4 billion of funding lying around. He's going to have to take that funding from other places like public schools, public libraries and the NYPD.

 


Thanksgiving Food & Wine Shopping NYC

nyc gourmet shopping nyc thanksgiving food shopping nyc thanksgiving gourmet food and wine shopping  nyc all 5 boros

NYC Gourmet Shops & Thanksgiving Restaurants in NYC

Shops and Restaurants for Preparing or Eating Thanksgiving Day Dinner in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island

thanksgiving day shops and restaurants in manhattan thanksgiving day restaurants gourmet shops manhattan nycUPDATING October 15, 2024 vs 11.2.2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The origins of Thanksgiving Day in the United States began with one of America’s first settlements, founded by the risk-taking, resource-pooling, hardworking, spiritual community of Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were early English settlers who arrived on American shores in the early 17th century [1600’s]. They came here because they wanted a measure of freedom and self-determination that they were forbidden in Europe or what was called the ‘old country’. The Pilgrims wanted to practice their faith, unencumbered, in a way that differed from the established Church of England. They pooled their money to obtain a ship, the Mayflower, to cross the Atlantic in mid September of 1620, landing on America's shores at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts on November 9, 1620.

The Pilgrims Receive Help from the Native People of a Strange Land

Per Wikipedia, the Piligrims survived a hard winter in 1621 with the help of the Wampanoag, an American Indian tribe. The Pilgrims were the immigrants, and the first Americans, the Indian natives, welcomed them. The Wampanaog taught the Pilgrims how to catch eels, and how to grow and harvest corn. Thus the Pilgrims ended 1621 with a good harvest which they celebrated and shared with their new friends, expressing their thanks to a higher power, aka God, for the success of their endeavors.

Thus it was that the first Thanksgiving celebration happened in America. There's some dispute to this account, which we'll address in a future post, near Thanksgiving Day.



Just Saying No to the City of Yes Zoning Law Changes in NYC

 

* Just Saying No to the City of Yes

See What's Driving the Urgency to Pass the 1386 Page 'City of Yes' Bill Now ...

... in Addition to being a Dishonestly-Sold, Anti-Democracy Bill, that Strips Communities of their Rights, Guarantees NO Affordable Housing, Likely will Inflate the Cost of NYC Real Estate, and Mostly Benefits the Elite, Super Rich Class of Real Estate Donors who Staffed the Group that Wrote the 1386 Page Bill & Funded the Campaigns of Mayor Adams and Numerous NYC Council Members, and Deprives NYC & NYS of Much Needed Future Tax Revenue for 10 to 40 Years

mayor eric adams pro real estate development zoning laws tax abatements nyc adrienne adams helps eric pass laws that take away new yorkers rights power nyc government corruptionDecember 3, 2024 vs 11.29.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The photo above or at right shows NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who made an effort to rectify some of the deceitful promises of the City of Yes zoning changes, by negotiating some changes which are more likely to result in the creation of some truly affordable housing - but still very far short from justifying the incredible amount of government tax abatement giveaways that the City of Yes will enable, in light of the 421a NYS property tax law extension, wherein the taxpayers give the rich developers' properties 10 - 40 years tax free, in exchange for the real estate developers building apartments for tenants who earn up to between $141,000 and $183,000 per year.

Is this kind of public policy borderline or outright insane?

 



 Report 551 - Article Summary blocked - not working properly

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Kamala Made Closing Pitch, Yankees Lose World Series, Daylight Savings Time, NYC Marathon Weekend & Early Voting Ends Sunday 11/3

The IFPDA Art Show, Washington Heights Jazz Festival & 9th Annual Short Comedy Film Fest in Manhattan; Native American Indian Harvest Festival & Market & Diwali Celebrations in Queens; Brooklyn Veterans Parade & Diwali Celebration in Brooklyn; Yankee Stadium Tours & Bronx Marathon Medal Monday in the Bronx; Cranberry Festival & Holiday Fairs begin on Staten Island & Next Week Election Day is Tuesday 11/5/24 & the Affordable Art Fair [Qns] & NY Comedy Festival both begin on Thursday

Updated November 2, 2024 vs 10.31.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analytis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsNYC Weather Forecast as of 11.1.24 - Sunrise 7.27 am & Sunset at 5.51 pm. The temperature high on Friday will be in the high 70's and then hover around 60 for the rest of the weekend. The temperature lows will descend gradually over the weekend from 50 degrees on Friday to the low 40's the rest of the weekend. Winds will range from 10 - 20 mph Friday, 5 - 10 mph Saturday and 3 - 5 mph on Sunday.

It will be a dry weekend, with the humidity level ranging under 50% all weekend. No precipitation is in the forecast. October 2024 was the driest October on record in NYC, with just 0.01 inch of measurable rain recorded. We ask ouir Climate Change denying friends to please pay attention to this month as a data point, as this was not a good record to break, and it's accompanied by many other such occurrences.

The photo at right shows the NYC Marathoners streaming across the Pulaski Bridge from Brooklyn into Queens in a prior year. Look at how happy they are to feel so healthy and alive. The NYC Marathon returns this Sunday to all five boroughs - see details below.

 

Saturday Afternoon Edition at 4.15 pm. Generally done, but noting that we're always working on & updating things. The holiday festivities and markets are beginning to kick in, so if interested, pay attention to the links to them as we'll be updating going forward. We're also doing some seasonal transitioning, which sometimes takes us a bit of time for us to hit a timely stride.

 


 

Thanksgiving Day - America's Communal Holiday NYC

 

Thanksgiving - America's Communal Holiday

The Pilgrims Legacy: Love, Sharing & Community Empowerment

thanksgiving day senitments nyc what thanksgiving day means to meNovember 27, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / Thanksgiving Holidays in NYC / Gotham Buzz NYC.

A couple of years ago, I happened upon a childhood book of fables and fairytales that I had saved since I was a first grader. I was young enough to still like fairytales and old enough to be learning and loving to read.

The book, A Gateway to Storyland, by Platt & Munk Co, was given to me around the holidays, and the book still gives me a warm, loved feeling when I periodically open it to browse through the fairytales and fables containing little nuggets of age old wisdom about how to conduct onesself [see photo at right / the book is still in print]. I read it numerous times immediately upon receiving it, as the illustrations fed my imagination, and lessons embedded in the words resonated with timeless sagacity.

 

Unselfish Parental Love Manifested by Empowering Progeny

Love comes in many forms, but the purest form is unselfish love. The love of truly giving something with no thought of anything in return. That love is oftentimes given intergenerationally - from grandparents to parents to children.

Perhaps the greatest gifts are those that cost us nothing but our time. Like the gift of teaching someone something that they will be able to put to good use throughout their lives. Parents do this all the time, when they help their children develop skills, and impart some knowledge and learning ... just as my parents did many years ago, by giving me a well illustrated fairytale book to encourage my interest in reading, while sharing the time tested insights of the ages, handed down through storytelling.

 

I. A Brief Thanksgiving History

The Pilgrims Shared Communal Resources to Actualize a Dream

At Thanksgiving time we commemorate one of America's first settlements, founded by the risk-taking, resource-pooling, hardworking, spiritual community of Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims were early English settlers who arrived on American shores in the early 17th century [1600's]. They came here because they wanted a measure of freedom and self-determination that they were forbidden in Europe or what was called the 'old country'. The Pilgrims wanted to practice their faith, unencumbered, in a way that differed from the established Church of England. They pooled their money to obtain a ship, the Mayflower, to cross the Atlantic in mid September of 1620, landing on America's shores at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts on November 9, 1620. Think of it. It took about a month and a half to travel a distance we can now traverse in about five hours.

 

The Pilgrims Receive Help from the Native People of a Strange Land

Per Wikipedia, the Piligrims survived a hard winter in 1621 with the help of the Wampanoag, an American Indian tribe. The Pilgrims were the immigrants, and the first Americans, the Indian natives, welcomed them. The Wampanaog taught the Pilgrims how to catch eels, and how to grow and harvest corn. Thus the Pilgrims ended 1621 with a good harvest which they celebrated and shared with their new friends, expressing their gratitude to a higher power, aka God, for the success of their endeavors.

Thus it was that the first Thanksgiving celebration happened in America ... or did it?



What did the NYC Council Speaker get After 'Negotiating' a 'Better' City of Yes Law?

 

* What did the NYC Council Speaker get After 'Negotiating' a 'Better' City of Yes Law?

She got 29,000 Fewer Affordable Housing Units, for which the Taxpayers will Pay $5 Billion More

city of yes zoning hearings october 2024 nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc zoning law changes by adrienne adams in favor of billionaire real estate developers intenational investorsNovember 27, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

 

If this wasn't real, I'd be laughing pretty hard.

 

But because it is real, so I'm only laughing cynically, because it is so close to unbelievable ... and it's happening in - as Eric Adams likes to say - 'the Greatest City in the World'. To which I would comment, 'not for long, if this keeps up'.

 

Evidence Indicating the City of Yes Legislation has been Dishonestly Sold to Us

To give you an idea of how dishonestly the City of Yes legislation appears to have been sold to us by Mayor Eric Adams and Daniel Garodnick of the Department of City Planning - consider this.

Last week, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, 'negotiated' a better City of Yes legislative package.

So what did she / we get?

She / We got a package that costs $5 billion more, of our hard earned tax payer money, to be used to support wealthy and super rich real estate developers' and investors' projects; and in exchange she / we got 29,000 LESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS promised. So when is the last time you negotiated a better deal, for which you paid billions more, and got tens of thousands of units less, and walked away thinking you got a 'better' deal?

Come on. This is funny.

But in reality it is not very funny at all. It's dishonest.

This shows you how dishonestly Mayor Adams and his side kick Garodnick, appear to have been selling this package to the public. Part of the reason for the lower number of units is that they actually included some honestly affordable housing in the renegotiated legislation.

What Speaker Adrienne Adams got was a more honest [but not completely honest] assessment of what seemed to be a very dishonest legislative package, but it's still far, far less than anything that should fully justify it.

See 'Affordable Housing' story below dated 10.23.24, where 'affordable housing' is used to describe housing units that require an income of up to $250,000. And assuming my understanding of this is correct, Mayor Adams and Garodnick want taxpayers to give real estate developers and investors tax abatements, to build similar 'affordable housing' units, that would be rented to those earning 100% AMI [Area Median Income], which for a three person family is currently $127,000. The incentives might possibly extend to higher income levels [above 100% of the AMI], as the story below indicates - but I need to do more research to obtain confirmation or refutation that tax abatements would be given for units built for incomes above 100% of the AMI in the in the City of Yes legislation.

 



Why a Supply-and-Demand Approach Alone Cannot Solve the Housing Affordability Crisis

 

* Why a Supply-and-Demand Approach Alone Cannot Solve the Housing Affordability Crisis

Posted 11.28.24 _ November 20, 2024 / News Analysis & Opinion / By Layla Law-Gisiko, President. The City Club of New York

"Buy land; they're not making it anymore" - Mark Twain


city of yes zoning hearings october 2024 nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsThe conventional supply-and-demand approach, which presumes that increasing the housing supply will lead to greater affordability, fails to address the root causes of the housing affordability crisis. This approach, while seemingly primal and basic, is actually specious. Drawing on the theories of Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Thomas Piketty, Joseph Stiglitz, and Ryan-Collins, Lloyd, and Macfarlane in Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing, critics argue that the conventional approach fails to account for the unique characteristics of land and housing as commodities. They highlight how financialization, speculation, and wealth concentration distort housing markets and exacerbate inequality. The housing crisis cannot be resolved simply by increasing supply without additional interventions that address the influence of land values, speculative investments, and inequality in the housing market and that in certain circumstances, increasing supply will actually exacerbate the housing crisis.

Copy & paste this link to go to the City Club of New York website - https://cityclubny.us21.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7bd5efc173c501c8faae47a24&id=4112fd461e&e=86b0219420

In modern housing policy, increasing the supply of housing is often cited as the primary solution to the affordability crisis. According to a basic supply-and-demand framework, a larger housing stock should reduce prices by creating competition and addressing housing scarcity. However, housing and land are not commodities like others in the market. Land is fixed in supply, derives its value largely from its location and external factors, and is influenced heavily by speculative and financial practices. This analysis reveals that, contrary to the assumptions of traditional economics, increasing the housing supply is unlikely to resolve the crisis unless additional policies address the complex dynamics of land values, speculation, and market concentration.

 



 

Stats & Facts Missing in the City of Yes Proposal

Have Mayor Adams & Daniel Garodnick been Selling Us 108,000 Units of Hooey?

November 12, 2024 / NYC Government & Politics / NYC Real Estate & Business / News & Analysis / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Adams Administration Fails to Provide Straight Answers Two Very Specific & Very Basic Questions - 1) How Many Affordable Housing Units Guaranteed by Passage of this Legislation & 2) a) What Size Units, b) at What 'Affordable' Price and c) in What Borough?

What 'Affordable' Housing Guarantees? It is being sold as a cure-all for NYC's housing crisis, yet when I asked the Adams Administration Department of Planning how many units of affordable housing would we be guaranteed by passage of this legislation, the answer that came back to me was a long-winded form of 'none'.

I'll say this again - No 'affordable' housing units are guaranteed by passage of the City of Yes legislation.

What Size Apartment, at What Price & in What Borough? When I asked the Adams Administration's Department of City Planning to provide me with details of how many units of affordable housing would be built, at what 'affordable' price, for what size apartment, and in what borough - I again received another round-about answer via a link they sent me, to one of their selling pitches on a website, where I found no specifics related to the question above.

Let me say this again - No description of what sized units, at what 'affordable' price and in what borough. I found this hard to believe, since for the past year Mayor Adams and Daniel Garodnick of the Department of City Planning have been publicly selling this legislation, by promising it will result in over 108,000 new units of 'affordable' housing being built.

My papa once told me, "No proof. No sale."

Or as the 1980's Reagan commercial asked, "where's the beef?". In this case 'beef' = 'affordable housing'.

 


Squeaky Chairs & Stubborn Hearts: City of Yes Hearing NYC

 

Squeaky Chairs And Stubborn Hearts: The City Of Yes Hearing

Delayed Post _ October 24, 2024 / NYC Government & Politics / NYC Real Estate & Business / News & Analysis / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Editor's Note. We're publishing this two and a half weeks after the fact, as the 2024 federal elections consumed our time and attention. But it has come time again to refocus our attention on one of the most important legislative efforts in decades, which is working its way through the NYC Council, in what appears to be a major effort by international investors, developers and billionaires - aided and abetted by Mayor Adams and the Department of City Planning - to strip away a lot of local voters' rights to make meaningful comments about any new real estate developments or major construction efforts proposed in ALL NYC neighborhoods. The bill is expected to come up for a vote before the end of the year, and possibly as soon as this month.

By Layla Law-Gisiko, President of the City Club of New York.

city of yes zoning hearings october 2024 nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsAnother epic hearing wrapped up Tuesday evening [10.22.24], a few minutes short of midnight. This was the grand finale of public hearings on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity. At 9:37 AM, Council Member Kevin Riley, chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Variances, called the hearing to order. He solemnly announced that over 600 people had registered to speak.

In the course of the long day, approximately 320 people spoke. Though the split between supporters and opponents was fairly even, the strong presence of special interests and developers highlighted that most regular New Yorkers opposed the proposal.

When the doors of the City Council chamber opened at 9 AM, the room quickly filled, as the public bravely endured the torment of those infamous plastic squeaky chairs—perfectly designed to make you question all your life choices.

They could have enjoyed glorious fall weather and comfortable seating, but New Yorkers took time off their busy schedules to speak up. Renters, homeowners, public housing tenants, and SRO residents—New Yorkers from all walks of life and from all boroughs— voiced their fears about why they believe the plan will fall short of its promises and will hurt them. Overall, the mood was serious, and at times even anxious. New Yorkers expressed fear of displacement and gentrification, fear of a city ever more driven by real estate profit, fear of deregulation in the name of a laudable goal that many fear the proposal will never reach.

 



How Believable is Donald Trump's Denial he's not Behind Project 2025?

 

How Believable is Donald Trump's Denial he's not Behind Project 2025?

Quick & Dirty Review of What Trump & Elon Appear to be Planning - Especially #2 & 5

November 3, 2024 / U.S. Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

trump campaign 2024 elon musk pain hardship project 2025Project 2025 was put together by a group, of very conservative, right wing groups working in concert. This includes, according to a CNN report, 140 Trump affiliates, of which more than a dozen played some role in the first Trump Administration.

To see this yourself, visit https://www.project2025.org.

1. They say they want to secure the border, but when a bi-partisan bill was generally agreed upon by both parties in both houses and ready to be passed into legislation, they / Trump nixed it, so Trump could use it as a campaign issue against Joe Biden. This is just a gimmick, because if they really wanted it, they could have had it over six months ago. As for deporting over 10 million immigrants who are already here ... think long and hard about what that looks and feels like - not just here, but abroad. It will probably look and feel a bit like the Nazis rounding up the Jews, back in the 1930's.

This is a nation of immigrants, and we should be happy that so many people are willing to pick up, and move themselves, to live and work here. In 2023 the U.S. had a population growth of just 1.2%, so we need immigrants to help power the labor force, help pay our retirements, and help pay our national debt. When we no longer look like a destination to move peoples' lives to, we're going to be in big trouble. And deporting over 10 million people, many of whom grew up here, really isn't thinking this thing through.

2. They want to 'de-weaponize the Federal Government by increasing accountability and oversight' of the FBI and Justice Department. Both agencies are already managed by the Executive Branch of government, and monitored and funded by the Senate and Congress. Specifically, the Senate and House both hold hearings, review agency policies, monitor agency enforcement, oversee agency functions, and perhaps most importantly is that they have the power of the purse in terms of reviewing appropriations. So the question here is - TO WHOM - do they want to make them accountable? The answer is to the very rich people who are supporting Trump, like Elon Musk.

It appears to me that they should reword this demand to reflect what they really want, which is to defang / cripple federal law enforcement.

3. Unleash American energy and reduce American energy prices. This is their way of saying 'drill baby, drill'. They don't want more clean energy, they want more dirty energy, by deregulating the oil industry, What we should be doing is taxing this cash cow [fossil fuels] out of existence, and refunneling the higher taxes into clean energy incentives, to accelerate the transition to powering society cleanly, before we run down the clock and it's too late.

trump campaign 2024 elon musk pain hardship project 20254. 'Cut the growth of the federal government to reduce inflation'. First take note that the last time Donald Trump was president, he significantly increased government spending, and super-sized the national debt from $20 trillion to $28 trillon - breaking all records by a landslide. So quite frankly, this is simply not believable.

What makes this statement even more of a lie is that the inflation they plan to reduce is currently running at 2.1%, which isn't much different from the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2.0%. So maybe they want to take credit for reducing inflation, but reducing inflation any more than the Biden Administration already has would probably not be good, as 2% is the Federal Reserve's target rate for a smooth running economy.

Also recognize that inflation was a worldwide phenomenon caused by the pandemic, because worldwide production slowed / stopped for CoVid. Consumers and businesses began to bid up the prices of the things that had already been produced that were available, because they didn't know when production would resume. And after production recommenced, then the international shipping carriers and ports had to catch up on the back orders. Today, all of that has long been sorted out, which is why current inflation, using last month's reading was 2.1%. Again, not believable.

5. Make the bureaucrats more responsible to the President and Congress. They already are.

But this is where the hard right and Elon Musk, emasculate the federal government and make it work for them, and them only. Pushing the pain and hardship as far as the American people will tolerate, without rising up and taking to the streets in rebellion.

I don't have time to do #6 and #7, which are [#6] to move control and funding of education to the states [Education of a society is very complicated, so I haven't the time to properly address this, but local governments and states are already mostly in charge of education, and the Federal Government incentivizes programs and curricula they think are in the national interest [like math & science] which local schools may or may not participate in], and [#7] ban biological males from competing in women's sports [don't know enough about this, except to say that local institutions, if they clearly define who may participate on sports teams, should be able to manage this issue. This as a major point of Project 2025 vis-a-vis the other points, seems more designed to be an attack on the hot button issue of gender identity].



The Brain-Dead, Kiddie-Hosted, TV News

 

The Brain-Dead, Kiddie-Hosted, TV News

They Televise Musk Giving Out Millions of Dollars, & None Ask Why

October 31, 2024 / U.S. Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

 

Background Regarding the Crumbling News Foundation, Upon which TV News Once Relied

nasa chief calls for investigation elon musk & vladimir putin in regular talks x is new russian bot farm muskIf you've been reading my work, especially in recent times, you'll notice how increasingly frustrated I have become with TV News. If you want to know why America doesn't seem quite right, it's because the TV folks rarely seem to do any real reporting. In times gone by, the real reporting was done by the journalists working for the newspapers, and then the TV newspeople essentially rewrote and then reread the newspaper journalists' work on air.

Newspapers have been decimated by the search engines, specifically Google, undermining the newspaper business models, by using newspapers' content to create a really wonderful apparatus - internet search. But the problem is that the technologists reap most of the advertising revenue, and virtually all of the profit, so that most newspapers can scarcely afford to do much real news anymore, because their staffs are being cut, and they can't invest in real journalism, which costs money.

 

Fast Forward to the State of Modern TV News Rooms Today

TV News used to generate much larger audiences, and hence ratings and revenue, than they do today. This is because most folks are spending far more time on their cell phones or on their computers, and thus watching far less TV. Part of the reason is the new technologies, but ...

But the other part of the equation is that the content on TV has growing incredibly old and stale. You can probably find as much content on TV today that was created in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's as you can find content created in the first quarter century of this millenium. And moreover, most of the content created for TV in this millenium are those super cheap-to-produce games shows, that some segment of the population has the time, interest and / or boredom to watch. And a lot of the rest of the content produced today is either hospital or law enforcement shows, which really narrows the field in terms of viewing options, if you're interested in anything else.

Back to TV News. If you read our reporting on government and politics the past few months, or over the years, we are constantly in pursuit of the back story. Unfortunately, TV News which reaches a far larger audience than we do, make their living reciting headlines, which is not the same as reporting the news. This brings me to telling you why I'm writing this report.

 

The Real Swamp & The Real Story of Trump and Musk & Why They 'Need' to Win

Musk Didn't Think Trump was the 'Right Guy' in 2016 & Trump Called Musk a "Bullsh@t Artist"

elon musk & vladimir putin in regular talks x is new russian bot farm muskIt takes one to know one.

Back then, they were both right. But things have changed. At present both have a common interest in social media and in that business their respective fortunes seem somewhat aligned, as they are both seek to attract the white uneducated males in our country, to whom they have been feeding misinformation and propaganda, as if it were real news. And while financially, that business model doesn't appear to be working, perhaps they can make it work by getting Trump elected.

 



NYC Halloween Parties & Parades - Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx Staten Island Halloween Parties & Events

nyc halloween parties nyc halloween parades nyc halloween parties & parades nyc all 5 boros

Halloween Parties, Parades & Events in NYC

Halloween Festivities in All Five Boros Begins Now & Runs thru Halloween Week

UPDATING October 25, 2024 vs 10.16.23 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

nyc halloween parties nyc halloween parades events bronx manhattan brooklyn queens staten island halloween nycWeather Forecast for Halloween Weekend. It's still a bit early to obtain a reliable weather forecast for Halloween Weekend, let alone Halloween itself, which is now two weeks away.

But the typical weather on Halloween night in NYC is about 65 degrees during the day and about 50 degrees at night. Global warming may alter these averages as a forecast. We'll post an updated weather forecast next weekend when a more specific weather forecast is possible.

Here are links to some Halloween parties, parades and events planned around the five boroughs. These pages are in the process of being updated and we expect to finish them today or tomorrow. But you can browse the pages and see what various places did last year, and if you're interested in digging further we've included contact information as well.



 

Get it While it's Hot - 'Affordable Housing' Lottery in LIC

150 'Affordable Housing' Units Available for Folks w/ Incomes of 'Only' $99K to $250K

affordable housing lic queens studios start at $2900 and 2 BR for just $4400October 23, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Real Estate & Business / Gotham Buzz NYC.

'Better hurry' to participate in this 'affordable housing' lottery for apartments in the Jasper at 49-20 5th Street in Long Island City, Queens. Studios are renting for the 'low, low price' of $2,900 per month and two bedroom apartments are a 'steal' at only $4,400 per month.

To qualify you 'only' need to be earning between $99,000 and $250,000 per year. These annual incomes, which are an eligibility requirement, are only 'slightly' higher [+50% to +291%] than the median NYC salary of $64,000 per year.

But don't worrry, if you miss this 'great' opportunity for 'affordable housing', because the real estate developers, real estate investors, billionaires, property owners and Mayor Adams, are pushing hard to get through the City of Yes Zoning Law changes, which will provide huge tax breaks to investors, billioinaires and real estate developers to make even more of this kind of 'affordable housing' available all over NYC.

Isn't that 'exciting'? It looks like more 'affordable housing' is finally on its way ...

See related stories below and in our City of Yes Special Report section on Gotham Buzz.

And you still have time to be heard by the NY City Council regarding your opinion of the City of Yes. Written Testimony is accepted for 72 hours after the hearing that was held Tuesday 10.22.24. Use this email address to send them your opinions - landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov. I believe the comment period expires at the close of business on Friday 10.25.24.


 

Trump Presidency Deficits Cost Each American Household $62,000

Trump Talks about how Great the Economy was While he was President

What he and Network TV Nothingness News don't talk about, are the Deficits he Incurred to Fuel Spending

donald trumps record on the economy huge deficitsOctober 22, 2024 / Government & Politics / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The graphic at right shows your household share of the debt racked up by the federal government while Trump and the Republicans were in charge.

 

Trump Breaks Record for the Greatest Deficits in American History

Donald Trump keeps heralding the economy during his presidency 2016 - 2020, but what he doesn't talk about is how he put each household in America on the hook for $62,000 within just four years, or $23,188 per person. We know the Billionaires received that and then some via the 2017 tax cut, but most of the rest of us received pennies on the dollar - at best.

So why haven't the TV Networks newspeople talked about this or questioned Trump or Vance about this? Trump and Vance are both Republicans, and much of this debt was incurred while Republicans also controlled both the Senate and House. The Trump presidency $8 trillion deficit incurred within four years, was equal to 40% of all debt accumulated [and still on the books] donald trumps record on the economy huge deficitsby America's 44 previous presidents in the prior 225 years of the nation's existence.

The graphic at right shows the federal government debt trendline ending at the end of the Trump Administration.

 

Trump Calls for the FCC to Revoke TV News Licenses - I Agree, but for Different Reasons

So why aren't the TV Networks newspeople informing the American public and telling people about this when the subject of the 'Trump Economy' arises?

Probably because they are too busy looking in people's backyards in Springfield, Ohio for non-existent bones of the dogs and cats that Trump told their TV audience were eaten by Haitian immigrants. Or because they just had to cover the Donald doing a photo op flipping burgers at a McDonald's, propagandistically showing he's a working man. Or because they've buried their ostrich heads so far in the ground that they can't get them out when it really matters. They've taken the nation along with them into the black hole of nothing-newsworthy-news.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that the FCC licenses of TV News should be revoked. While his reasons are that they didn't give him a sycophantic, slatheringly obsequious interview; one of my reasons is that they have been failing the American public for decades, by not presenting real news, and also when they do, it's not done in a fair and balanced manner.

But my primary reason is that they are not owned by, nor do they represent, the various demographic groups / voices in the nation. Like their news coverage, they put a glossy shine on the appearance of representation, just as they pretend to do real journalism; but when you scratch the surface, it becomes very apparent, that just as it's not real journalism, their broadcasts do not give voice to the various demographic groups within the country.

I think we may be on a roll until election day.


The LIC Summit 2024

The Changing Cultural and Real Estate Landscape in Long Island City

October 8, 2024 / LIC Neighborhood / Queens Real Estate & Business / Queens Buzz.

LIC Summit 2024 real estate development in LIC Queens NYC

A. Prelude to Attending the LIC Summit 2024

It was a beautiful, sunny, dry day as I walked over to the Museum of the Moving Image in LIC / Astoria.  I arrived around 11 am to attend part of the second half of the LIC Summit, which is a real estate and business conference which examines in depth, an LIC centric world, but also mindful of the surrounding environment.

After I made my way through a flawless check-in, I found my way into the theater and sat down to listen in on the panel providing a Long Island City real estate update.  These panels are structured such that the moderator serves up a number of questions to the panelists for comment, which is then followed by audience questions, which sometimes are the best, because they are asked by people like you and me, who have lived and worked in the area for a long while and witnessed and have adjusted to the huge changes that have occurred in Long Island City over the past couple of decades.

 

I.  First Panel - LIC Residential Real Estate Update

This panel included Patricia Dunphy of SVP of Rockrose Development, Eric Benaim CEO / Founder of Modern Space, Dan Mogolesko SVP of the Durst Organization, Peter Papamichael Principal of the VOREA Group and Crystal Xu Director of Business Development United Construction & Development Group.

As I came in at the end of the panel presentation, I only caught the Q&A portion of the program, which follows.

A performance theater / school owner pondered aloud whether the developers were still interested in involving and supporting the arts and culture scene in Long Island City.  At the turn of the century LIC was well known as a thriving artists community, as it offered very competitive rents and good access to mass transit.  In the near quarter century since then many - if not most - of the artists have moved out of the area as they can no longer afford the rents, which have skyrocketed from under $1,000 / month to over $4,000 per month.

One of the panelists said they are interested in supporting the arts and he mentioned Culture Lab LIC as one of the arts institutions that has survived the changes.  But that was pretty much the full extent of the conversation surrounding the arts community.  So I reckon the short answer would be no.


nyc real estate nyc business nyc


 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Pulaski Day Parade, Nigerian Independence Parade, LGBTQ Film Festival & NY Film Festival continues in Manhattan; Sunnyside Oktoberfest, Queens Dominican Day Parade, Amazing Maize Maze / Corn Fest at Queens County Farm, Hellgate Walking Tour & next week Conch Shell Film Fest in Queens; LGBTQ Film Fest & Zum Schneider Fest continues in Brooklyn; 30th Annual Tour de Bronx Bike Ride, SolFest Latine Theater Festival at PRTT, Chekov's Uncle Vanya Theater & Raft of the Medusa Performance in the Bronx; and SI Rolling Thunder Oktoberfest & Lighthouse Point Fest on Staten Island, and next week the LIC Summit in Qns 10/8, Brooklyn Black Tie Ball 10/9, Italian Festival on the Mount on SI begins 10/11 & Yom Kippur 10/11

things to do nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc eventsUpdated October 5, 2024 vs 10.4.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analytis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather Forecast as of 10.4.24. Today - sunrise 6.56 am & sunset at 6.32 pm. Nice weekend with moderate temperatures in the 60's and 70's. For the most part no rain, with the tiny exception of overnight Friday a small chance [25%] of a small amount [less than 1/10th inch] and then very late Sunday night but more likely on Monday, there's a 90% chance of a quarter inch of rain. The humidity was nearly 80% Friday, but falls to 50% - 60% on Saturday, before climbing back up again on Sunday to the mid 70% range. Winds are 4 - 9 mph all weekend. Generally a great fall weekend weatherwise.

Early Saturday Morning Edition at 1.30 am. This is done or mostly done. Looks like a jam packed weekend of fun things to do. Enjoy.

 

Things To Do Next Week in NYC

  • October 9, 2024 - details coming but use the Facebook link for details of events in most / all boroughs.
    • September 23, 2023 - Durga Puja. The festival begins this weekend at various locations throughout NYC, but most notably in the Woodside, Jackson Heights, Jamaica and Richmond Hill neighborhoods in Queens. Durga Puja celebrates the goddess Durga, who is a motherhood figure representing the victory of good over evil. The celebrations, which cover a week of activity, are also something of a Hindu harvest festival. See this Facebook page for a listing of Durga Puja events in NYC and on Long Island - https://www.facebook.com/pujaprogramme/

Friday & Saturday, October 11 & 12, 2024 Yom Kippur - the holiest day of the Jewish year.

 

CLICK here to view our page of events in NYC & NYC things to do in October.

 


City of Yes - Sweeping Overhaul of NYC Zoning Laws

City of Yes - Special Report Series Section

Updated November 24, 2024 vs Reporting began February 21, 2024 / City of Yes Special Reports NYC / NYC Real Estate & Business / NYC Government & Politics / Gotham Buzz NYC.


nyc mayor adams city of yes zoning changes eric adams corrupt city of yes zoning changes for billionaires and real estate developers nyc


Things To Do Columbus Day Weekend in NYC

Columbus Day Weekend Things To Do in NYC

Things To Do in NYC over the Columbus Day Weekend

nyc things to do columbus day weekend nyc manhattan bronx queens brooklyn staten island columbus day parades nycOctober 12, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The Columbus Day Weekend is this weekend. 

NYC Weather Forecast as of 10.11.24. Today - Sunrise 7.03 am & Sunset at 6.20 pm. There's a 50% chance of a small amount [less than 1/5th inch] of rain Sunday night after 9 pm & ending Monday mid morning. Temperature highs will be in the low 70's through Sunday, descending to the low 60's on Monday. Temperature lows will be in the mid to high 50's through Sunday, descending into the mid 40's on Monday. It's going to be a windy weekend, with winds of 11 to 16 mph through Sunday, rising to 17 to 19 on Monday. The humidity will be 40% - 50% Friday and Saturday, rising to 60% - 70% on Sunday, before falling back to 50% - 60% on Monday. Generally a good weather three day holiday weekend. Enjoy.

 



Things to do in NYC September - September Events NYC

 

* Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Climate March Friday, UN Convenes & Autumn Begins Sunday, Steuben Day Parade & Oktoberfest in Central Park, Fall for Dance Fest, Feast of San Gennaro ending & Opening Reception for Art Exhibit in Manhattan; The MEMBER CALENDAR IS HOPPING this weekend in QUEENS with performance of Nunsense, Community Arts Day, Food & Wine Fest, Hellgate Walking Tour & Stemocracy at the NY Hall of Science, also Queens United International Music Party, the Moon Festival, Hispanic Day Parade, Oktoberfest at Bohemian Hall & Amazing Maize Maze / Corn Fest in Queens; Fort Hamilton Oktoberfest Friday, Greek Orthodox Fair, Climate Week & FAD market on Governor's Island & Flatbush Frolic in Brooklyn; Festival de Independencia de Mexico, Festival de El Grito de Lares, Bronx Native American Festival, Chekov's Uncle Vanya, Cocktail Party & Raft of the Medusa Performance in the Bronx; the 17th West Fest Westerleigh Folk Music Festival, a Greek Orthodox Festival & Shakespeares 'As You Like It' & Nansen Lodge Heritage Fair on Staten Island - Next Week Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival & Zum Schneider Fest in Brooklyn

September 20, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analytis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do this weekend nyc weekend events manhattan queens brooklyn bronx staten island nyc weekend eventsNYC Weather Forecast as of 9.20.24. Sunrise 6.42 am & Sunset at 6.55 pm. It looks to be a precipitation free weekend with the highs around 80 Friday, descending to the mid 70's for the rest of the weekend. The temperature lows will be around 60 and the humidity will hold steady all weekend at between 60% - 70%. The winds will also hold steady at about 10 mph all weekend. Have a great first Fall Weekend.

The photo at right was taken at the Steuben Day Parade in Manhattan in a prior year. The parade and accompanying Oktoberfest in Central Park return this weekend. See details below.

 

Friday Final Edition at 6.45 pm. Looks like a great Fall weekend both weather-wise and for things to do. Enjoy.

 

Things To Do This Weekend in NYC

  • things to do this weekend nyc weekend events manhattan queens brooklyn bronx staten island nyc weekend eventsSeptember 22 - 30, 2024 - The United Nations General Assembly begins. Dignitaries and diplomats will begin convening in earnest Sunday. Already this Friday 9/20/24, various groups that want to be heard, will be protesting the mishandling of their issues by various governments around the world. Road closures along the east side of Midtown, near the U.N. [generally in the low 40's streets], begin as early as Saturday evening at 8 pm, so be prepared for extra traffic jams in Manhattan.
    • This year they seem to have improved their communication effort and the following items are on the week long agenda. On Sunday, Monday, 9/22 & 9/23 they will be discussing sustainable development goals for international trade and development. On Tuesday, 9/24 they will showcase success stories of sustainable development efforts made 'round the world. On Wednesday, 9/25 they are hosting a plenary of sea level rise threats. On Thursday, 9/26 they will discuss anti-microbial resistance and efforts to combat it, as well as how to rid the world of nuclear weapons. On Wednesday thru Saturday, 9/25 - 9/28 & Monday, 9/30 there will be a high level debate about how the world can work together to make sure that nobody is left behind. On Tuesday, 9/24/24 President Joe Biden will address the General Assembly. For details and video links see - UN General Assembly in NYC 2024. https://www.un.org/en/webtv.un.org. For special reports on two of the world's military hotspots see our prior reports - 1) Why are American - not Israeli - taxpayers funding Israel's Expansionist Imperialism and 2) Ukraine Defends Against Russian Imperialism.

The photo above / at right was taken in 2022 outside the United Nations. In the lower foreground you can see a security officer, as well as several of them on the roof of one of the UN buildings. In the middle of the photo are some of the flags on the nations who come here, to convene with all other nations from around the world.

  • The first day of Fall 2024 is Sunday. Have a happy Autumn.

 

Things To Do This Weekend in Manhattan NYC

Friday, September 20, 2024 beginning at 2 pm - Climate March. Begins at Foley Square at Lafayette, Worth & Centre Streets in Downtown Manhattan near City Hall. Free. For details see - https://www.endfossilfuels.us/ and https://actionnetwork.org/events/youth-climate-strike-tear-down-the-pillars-of-fossil-fuels-2?source=direct_link&

Saturday, September 21, 2024 - Steuben Day Parade & Oktoberfest NYC. The parade begins at 12 noon from 5th Avenue at 68th Street and marches up to 86th Street. Following the parade there's an Oktoberfest at the Rumsey Playfield at 69th Street but in Central Park. Oktoberfest begins at 1 pm and runs until 6.30 pm. Enter Central Park at 72nd St & 5th Avenue. Admission $44 / $8 kids, sometimes tickets can sell out prior to the event. For details and tickets see - https://germanparadenyc.org/oktoberfest/ or https://www.facebook.com/steubenparadeny/



Coney Island - Final Fireworks of the Summer 2024

August 30, 2024 / Coney Island / Brooklyn / Brooklyn BLVD.

On Friday night, the final fireworks show by the Alliance for Coney Island, started around 10 pm on the Reigelmann Boardwalk just east of the Steeple Chase Tower and adjacent to the Luna Amusement Park. It was a comfortable evening, with a slight, cool breeze coming in off the water. There were hundreds of spectators who came to see the show and enjoy an end of the summer ride and snacks at Luna Park. I shot the 10 - 15 minute show from various locations around the Boardwalk, water and Luna Park and then edited it down to about 2 - 3 minutes, ending with a bit of island music. Enjoy the show.


Things to do in NYC August - August Events NYC

 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

Last MoMA Summer Sounds Concert & Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit Closed in Manhattan; Oracabessa Festival, Rockaway Beach Music Series, U.S. Open, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Queens Boro Dance Festival & Queens Jazz Trail Concert in Queens; West Indian American Day Parade & J'ouvert, Battle of Brooklyn, 24th Street Festival and Coney Island Fireworks in Brooklyn; Latin Foto Festival in Hunts Point, Bronx Writers' History at the Bronx Historical Society and Orchard Beach in the Bronx; and Do Portugal Circus at Staten Island Mall, the British are Coming & the Richmond County Fair on Staten Island

August 30, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analytis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do this weekend nyc weekend events manhattan queens brooklyn bronx staten island nyc weekend eventsNYC Weather Forecast as of 8.30.24. Sunrise 6.20 am & Sunset at 7.31 pm. Some rain expected Saturday night and early Sunday morning, so it should be a good weekend. Temperatures in the 80's during the day and 70's at night. A gentle breeze and humidity climbs gradually during the weekend, falling again on Monday.

In the photo at right, is one of Historic Richmond Town's finest citizens, doing his thing in the woodwork shop. The man reminded me of, Geppetto, the kind and fatherly woodcarver who created Pinocchio, the fictitious wooden puppet who comes alive.

 

Saturday 8.31.24 Final Weekend Edition @ 11.45 am. All done. Looks to be a fair weather weekend with plenty of fun things to do as the unofficial end of the summer arrives. Enjoy your three day / end of summer weekend. Fall events to follow in September.

 

Things To Do This Weekend in New York City

 


 


Things to do Labor Day Weekend NYC - Labor Day Weekend Events NYC

 

Labor Day Weekend Things To Do in NYC

Things To Do in NYC over the Labor Day Weekend

nyc things to do labor day weekend nyc manhattan bronx queens brooklyn staten island August 27, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Labor Day Weekend arrives this coming weekend.

The following links will bring you to a list of special events happening this Labor Day Weekend in each borough, as well as the highlighting of a number cultural institutions in that locale.

We'll be updating our front page on the Friday of the Labor Day weekend, with an up-to-date weather forecast, as well as additional Labor Day Weekend events and updates. So please come back to visit us Friday or over the Labor Day weekend.

And in the meantime, have a good rest of week.



Menu Links to Sections

 

Dominican Day Parades in Manhattan & NYC

There are Four Dominican Day Parades in NYC & Boroughs

manhattan dominican day parade nyc desfile dominicana manhattan national dominican day parade nycJuly 23, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Manhattan Buzz NYC.

NYC Weather Forecast as of 7.23.24. Generally looking good with no rain in the forecast, the highs in the high 80's and lows in the mid 70's.  Winds 5 mph and humidity about average.  Update coming with the Friday / Weekend post.

 

The photo at right was taken at one of the NYC Dominican Parades in NYC in a prior year. The Manhattan Dominican Parade returns Sunday, August 11, 2024. See details below.

 

Manhattan is Home to NYC's Largest Dominican Day Parade

Dominican Day Parades in the Manhattan & NYC. NYC has several Dominican Day parades, a couple of which we've previously covered. We've included in this report about the upcoming Manhattan Domincan Day Parade, information about the Dominican Day Parades in the other boroughs of NYC.

 


 

Things to do This Weekend in NYC & Boros

City of Yes Online OpEd Debate, St. Catherine of Genoa & Go Africa Festivals and SummerStage in Manhattan; Colombian Day Parade & Festival and Queens Boro Dance Festival & Next Week Pow Wow & Greek Fest in Queens; Raga Indian Music Fest, Nova Film Fest at Billie Holiday Theater, Giglio Festival in Greenpoint & Coney Island Fireworks in Brooklyn; Randalls Isle Family Fest, LGBTQ Pride Festival & Health Fair, Bronx Arts Ensemble & Arts & Crafts Series in the Bronx; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast in Rosebank & Maker Park Radio 7th Annual Music & Art Fest on Staten Island, Washington, D.C. Protest of Israeli PM Netanyahu's Visit next Wednesday & NYC Summer Public Theater & Concerts & Festivals coming soon

Updated July 21, 2024 vs 7.19.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analytis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do nyc this weekend events nyc manhattan queens brooklyn bronx staten island nyc weekend eventsNYC Weather Forecast as of 7.19.24. Sunrise 5.41 am & Sunset at 8.22 pm. The temperature highs will be in the mid 80's all weekend, while the temperature lows will be in the low 70's all weekend. Winds will be a light breezy 4 - 7 mph all weekend. The humidity will be 40% - 60% on Friday, rising to 50% - 70% on Saturday and Sunday. No rain is in the weekend forecast. Not a bad weekend.

The photo at right was taken in a manufacturing / warehouse district in Greenpoint Brooklyn, near the end of June of 2024.

 

Early Sunday AM Weekend Edition Update. We're done, having added a few events and updated a few events. Enjoy the rest of your wonderful weekend.

 

Oped Debate about the City of Yes

Mayor Adams vs a Couple of Critics of the Proposal

Public Comment Period Ends Monday, July 22, 2024

There's a debate heating up over Mayor Adams push to change NYC's zoning laws. The Mayor asserts the changes will encourage the growth of affordable housing, while critics believe the zoning changes that Adams has proposed, will usurp much of neighborhoods ability to have a say in what is built in their communities by aggressive international and local developers. Critics also mention that the legislation appears to include significant billionaire and real estate developer giveaways and that Adams' proposed zoning law changes provide no guarantees that any affordable housing will be built at all, because of the proposal. Lastly, the City of Yes concentrates the power it proposes to be taken from the people, into the hands of the Mayor's Office, which by its very nature would significantly reduce transparency and visibility currently available to the people who live, work and pay taxes here, regarding what's being developed and erected in NYC neighborhoods by billionaires, real estate developers and international investors.

Click this link to view generally well written OpEds on both sides of the debate. In them, you'll also be able to find out how you can make your voice heard in the debate, before the period for public comment closes on Monday, July 22nd, 2024.

Remember, a government by, for and of the people, is just a meaningless phrase, if the people (yes that means you) don't pay attention to what's going on in their government and participate in it by getting involved. It's very, very easy to lose rights and privileges, as we saw by the recent court invalidation of Roe v. Wade. And it's very, very hard to win them back. China and Russia are good examples of places where, after millenia, the people have still not won back respect by, for and from their governments.

 

Wednesday, 7.24.24, D.C. Protest of Netanyahu Duping American - not Israeli - Taxpayers into Funding the Palestinian Kristallnacht, in addition to Israeli Imperialism & Expansionism

things to do nyc this weekend events nyc manhattan queens brooklyn bronx staten island nyc weekend eventsOn Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 8 am to 8 pm, there's a protest against alleged War Criminal Benjamin Netanyahu at the Capitol in in Washington, D.C.

The Jewish American families whose loved ones are still being held captive by the Hamas terrorists are among those who will be protesting Netanyahu's speech to a joint session of Congress. They are protesting Netanyahu's presence, because Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to accept any peace deal which would free the hostages. Netanyahu is trying to get some of the released Israeli hostages to come to support him [create confusion], while the families of those still in captivity are pleading with the freed American hostage to stay away or join them.

An Israeli American group called Unxeptable will also be there protesting Netanyahu's visit because they view him as a fascist threat to Israeli democracy - https://www.facebook.com/UnXeptable. They won't be alone. See one of the Netanyahu welcoming committee posters at right.

Many congressmen and women, along with Senator Bernie Sanders (and possibly other senators), will not be attending the speech. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was not invited by President Biden, but rather primarily by congressional Republicans - who insiders believe are using Netanyahu to divide Democrats in the lead up to the 2024 election. Netanyahu had participated in this same sort of election interference effort back in 2016, at which time he indicated he favored Donald Trump. An estimatd 58 Democrats skipped his speech that year, and it is believed the number could go much higher this year, when he arrives at the Capitol next week.

Here's a story about Netanyahu's apparent use of American funding and weapons for Israeli imperialism, as well as what seems to be the Palestinian Kristallnacht. In the report we explore how Netanyahu avoids taxing billionaire Israelis for his wars, because - with the help of the faulty reporting by American corporate mass media - he has been able to successfully convince American taxpayers to fund them instead. Stay tuned.

 

 


netanyahu israel palestinian kristallnacht israeli imperialsm funded by u.s. taxpayers

Israeli Imperialism Funded by the American Taxpayer & the Palestinian Kristallnacht

Aug 15, 2024 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  Israeli Imperialism Funded by American Taxpayers - Not Israeli Billionaires - & the Palestinian Kristallnacht Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Failure, Is.... Read More
election 2024 race for president 2024 biden attacked by democrats 2024

How Dense are the Self-Defeating, Biden-Denying, Democrats

Jul 24, 2024 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  * How Dense are the Self-Defeating, Biden-Denying, Democrats? Why aren't Democrats Promoting the 'Biden Team' Accomplishments, instead of Undermining the Top of their.... Read More
free summer theater nyc free plays performances nyc free shakespeare in the park nyc

Free Summer Theater in NYC - Free Summer Plays & Performances in NYC

Aug 08, 2024 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

Free Things To Do This Summer - Free Theater NYC Free Theater in the Parks, Free Shakespeare in the Park NYC July 15, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Go.... Read More
Free Summer Concerts in NYC Free Summer LIve Music NYC Free Live Musical Performances in NYC

Free Summer Concerts in NYC - Free Summer LIve Music / Musical Performances in NYC

Aug 08, 2024 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

Mostly Free Summer Outdoor Concerts in NYC There are a Number of Free Summer Outdoor Concerts being Performed in all Five Boros Again this Year, Showing that NYC Contin.... Read More

Coop City Fireworks in the Bronx

July 6, 2024 / Coop City / Bronx Buzz NYC. I attended and recorded the Coop City fireworks in the Bronx this year. The fireworks display was launched from the Coop City Field located along the Hutchinson River which empties into the Long Island Sound.

They started around 9.30 pm and went for about 15 - 30 minutes, and I fouind it to be a fireworks display worth watching. Check out a few clips we put together from the show.


nyc street fairs street festivals nyc all 5 boroughs boros nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island street festivals street fairs nyc

NYC Street Fairs & Festivals NYC - St Fairs & Festivals in Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

Jul 04, 2025 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  Street Fairs & Festivals in NYC 2025 Street Fairs & Festivals in all Five Boroughs of NYC including Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Staten Is.... Read More
nyc farmers markets green markets seasonal outdoor food markets nyc all 5 boroughs boros nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island farmers markets green markets nyc

NYC Farmers Markets - Green Markets in NYC Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Bronx & Staten Island

Mar 17, 2025 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  NYC Farmers Markets 2025 - Times, Dates, Locations & Selection Year Round Farmers Markets in NYC & Seasonal Markets in Full Swing March 16, 2025 / NYC Neig.... Read More
CNN Presidential Debate Failure - TV News Fails America Again

 

Cable TV's Knucklehead News

CNN's SuperFantastic Debate Fiasco

The CNN Presidential TV Debate Between President Joe Biden & "Former" President Donald Trump Showcased how Disinformative Modern TV News can be, Particularly When Moderated by Anchors who Don't Seem to Know Who the Current President is

June 27, 2024 vs 6.21.24 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

dana bash jake tapper horrible job moderating presidential debate cnn 2024 knucklehead newsI was horrified Thursday night, as I watched the CNN TV debate unfold between President Joe Biden and 'FORMER' President Donald Trump. Not only because of Joe Biden's performance, but even more so because of CNN's performance, including Jake Tapper's and Dana Bash's mega journalistic failure, for moderating a show, advertised as news [which is supposed to be about facts], that disinformed their TV audience.

 

Improper Sound Set Up - CNN Technical Failure?

The horrors started with the sound [wo]man's failure to properly amp or set up Joe Biden's microphone so that it properly projected his soft spoken voice at a level audible to the TV viewing public. I had to ratchet up the volume on my TV to twice the level I normally use, to hear what President Biden was saying.

 

No Fact Checking the Biggest Liar in Presidential History? Only on TV 'News'

Then there's the incredible failure by the TV anchors to properly moderate the debate. First of all they should NEVER have agreed to moderating a debate where fact checking was not a part of the process. I mean really, how can CNN look itself in the mirror tomorrow morning and tell everyone they are a news organization, when facts don't matter in of all things, a Presidential Debate?

And then add to that, that one of the candidates is known to be one of the biggest liars on the planet. According to a January 24, 2021 Washington Post report, they noted that Donald Trump had lied 30,573 different times, in the four years he was president.

Former President Trump went off on some of his predictable mendacious campaign tirades, about January 6th, abortion, immigration, the economy ... and pretty much everything else - without any corrections - save from President Biden, who quite frankly, in part because of his stutter, and in part because it was difficult to hear him, didn't do a very good job.



City of Yes, No or Maybe

 

City of Yes, No or Maybe?

Things to Consider include Erosion of Commercial Property Tax Base, Impact of Your Neighbors' Running Machines at all Hours of the Day for their Home Based Businesses, Significantly Stunted Regulatory Enforcement and Oversight over Home Based Businesses, the Feeding of the Non Profit & Religious Orgs' Valuable Property to the Real Estate Development Wolves without Making & Taking Proper Precautions & the Transfer of Power from Local Control to Billionaires & International Real Estate Developers & ...

city of yes part II text amendments huge zoning changes for nycJune 4, 2024 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Government / NYC Business / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz.

 

City of Yes to be Voted Upon This Week

This week the New York City Council will vote on Part II of the City of Yes proposed changes to New York City zoning laws.  While the media pundits and many local pols believe it will pass, there's still a chance that it could be tabled for further consideration, and an outside chance that it could be voted down. 

I've attended a number of meetings and conferences where the legislation has been discussed by various experts who have examined and have advocated both for and against the proposal.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to square away enough time to provide more complete coverage of this legislation as it has moved from conception to a proposal which will be voted upon this week.

 

Another Failure to Inform by NYC Major Media

So what I am publishing today, is a compendium of what I've been able to learn over the past five months, about the City of Yes Part II Text Amendment Changes. My intention is to enable you to make a more informed decision about the sweeping zoning changes that are, in time, sure to affect most New Yorkers' lives - just in time for you to do something about it. Unfortunately, as is so often the case these days, TV news is too busy doing weather, sports and crime & accident videos, to do any real news reporting about what's going on in NYC, that will affect city residents and workers. And none of the three NYC major daily newspapers have paid sufficient attention to what is sure to be one of the most signifcant - and possibly harmful - pieces of municipal legislation in generations.

Let me say at the outset that a government for, of and by the people doesn't work if the people don't pay attention and get involved. Voters need to make sure that their interests - not just those of the billionaires and real estate developers - are included in legislation passed by the government officials voters elected to represent them. Democracy, on auto pilot, crashes and burns. So, I'm both alerting you and asking you to get involved - given there are only a few days left before a vote.

The rest of this will come later this afternoon and into the evening. It will be a highlight of some of the significant points made at the meetings and conferences I attended, as well as some of my thoughts of possible 'collateral damage' this legislation could do. if not significantly alterred, which means at a minimum the NY City Council must table it pending further work, if not vote it down.

 



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Juneteenth Things To Do NYC - Juneteenth Events in NYC

Jun 19, 2024 at 09:45 am by PeterParker

  Juneteenth - Things To Do NYC Juneteenth Things to do in NYC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island June 17, 2024 / Things To Do NYC / Holidays, Par.... Read More
queens world film festival nyc museum of the moving image

Queens World Film Festival - The Film Scene in Queens NYC Edit

 

The Queens World Film Festival Mirrors the Changing World The Queens World Film Festival 2024 Opened Up Deep & It Has Enabled a Number of Queens Youths to Venture into th.... Read More

solar eclipse nyc 2024

Solar Eclipse 2024 New York City Edit

 

  Solar Eclipse Grazes NYC There was a Partial Eclipse in NYC & a Total Eclipse in Buffalo April 9, 2024 / NYC Parks & Environment / NYC Neighborhoods / Queens.... Read More

NYS Primary Voting Tuesday, April 2, 2024

In addition to the presidential primary, there are also NYS primary races on the ballot.


Super Bowl 58 Teams Scores Swift Kelce NYC

Super Bowl 58 Teams Scores Swift Kelce NYC Edit

 

nyc The First Taylor Swift Travis Kelce Super Bowl Ends in Chiefs Victory Swift Arrived on Time, but No Engagement Announcement: Chiefs 25 - 49'ers 22 February 12, 2024.... Read More
 

Mayor Adams Vetoes How Many Stops Act - 586-A

Mayor Adams Vetoes the How Many Stops Act - 586-A

Feb 01, 2024 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

* Updated - How Many Stops Act Veto Overridden & Was the Mayor Justified in Vetoing the How Many Stops Act Bill [586-A]? And Did Corporate TV News Inform or Distort the I.... Read More
mayor justifies his veto of the how many stops act

Mayor Adams Justifies his Veto of the How Many Stops Act - 586-A

Jan 30, 2024 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

What They’re Saying: New York Leaders Continue to Voice Opposition to City Council Bill That Could Make NYC Streets Less Safe This is a Reprint of a Press Release Issue.... Read More
Climate Change & the Federal Reserve Bank NYC

Climate Change & the Federal Reserve Bank NYC Edit

 

* The Federal Reserve in NYC Assesses the Risks due to Climate Change Climate Change is Real. Its Impact is Already Affecting Economic Investments & Outcomes. The Federal.... Read More
The Eric Adams Story - Exclusive Interview

* Exclusive: One on One Interview with the Mayor

The Eric Adams Story - Part I

Mayor Adams is a Complicated Man, Who Rose from Poverty, to the Highest Office in NYC

November 6, 2023 / NYC Government & Polltics / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz. News Analysis & Opinion by Michael Wood.

the eric adams story nyc exclusive report about nyc mayor eric adams nycThis past summer, while working on another story in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media [aka MOECM], I entered into discussions with the MOECM, about the possibility of an exclusive interview with the Mayor. The Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media was created a couple of years ago, to enhance local media access to the goings on at City Hall, in order to better inform the public. Under the Adams Administration, part of that program included providing greater government official availability to somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 local media outlets.

Famod Konneh, Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement collaborated with me to make arrangements for the interview, which took place on Friday, October 20, 2023. It's worth noting that every reporting story done live, is a collaboration of a sort, between the journalist and the subject(s) covered.

The photo at right shows Jose Bayona, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Ethnic & Community Media [aka MOECM], at the MOEDM operations cener which is in the basement of City Hall, while he was setting up the video conference.

 

Interview Preparation - Doing My Homework

I did a considerable amount of research into the Mayor's past, while preparing for the interview. I did all this prep work, even though Famod had told me I would be limited to 20 minutes via a Zoom video call, as I was pitching him for more time. When I first first started the research, I did it in preparation for the interview, but, as sometimes happens with the kind of reporting I do, the more I learned, the more I became interested in learning even more about the Mayor and his life story.

Initially I thought I would do a standard hard news interview about key topics of the day including immigration, crime, the public schools and the budget. But, as I journeyed into the Mayor's past, I became more intrigued with the idea of doing a different story.

The Adams Administration's Unheralded Herculean Effort Managing the Immigrant Influx

the eric adams story nyc exclusive report about nyc mayor eric adams nycAs I conducted my research, I decided that NOT to inquire about the Mayor's - seemingly unappreciated or underappreciated - Herculean effort to manage the huge influx of immigrants into NYC. This situation, turned crisis, began when Texas Governor Greg Abbott began bussing immigrants from Texas border towns, beginning in August 5, 2022, to NYC. Governor Abbott began transporting immigrants here without any communication nor coordination with NYS Governor Hochul or NYC Mayor Adams.

Nonetheless, Mayor Adams somehow found enough lodging for somewhere between 65,000 - 125,000 immigrants bussed in since then, who arrived in the city within the past year or so. The Mayor also managed to carve enough funding out of the NYC budget to provide security, food, healthcare and logistics for the newcomers, with what - until fairly recently [the past three months or so] - appeared somewhere between scant and lagging help from the likes of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and NYS Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY), respectively.

In spite of this gargantuan challenge, Mayor Adams made sure NYC didn't miss a step. His Administration kept the influx of immigrants mostly off the streets, and appeared to ensure they were't coopted into criminal activities by providing for them, in spite of laws which forbade them from earning a living. This nearly heroic effort has mostly gone unheralded by the corporate media.

The photo above right shows the Mayor pondering a question I posed to him, during our Zoom interview. He's in the Mayoral limo enroute to his next event.

CLICK here to read the rest of the story about my exclusive interview with Mayor Adams about his life - profile.



The LIC Summit at the Museum of the Moving Image

The One Things that was Clear, Amidst a Number of Rapidly Shifting Trends, was that the Times They are a Changing

things to do this weekend nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island nyc weekend eventsOctober 23, 2023 / Queens Neighborhoods NYC / Queens Business NYC / Queens Buzz. 

Last Tuesday, on a fairly nice October day, I visited the Museum of the Moving Image, to attend the LIC Summit which was organized by the Long Island City Partnership [LICP].  According to their website - at https://www.longislandcityqueens.com - the description and mission of the Long Island City Partnership is as follows:

"... [The] Long Island City Partnership(LICP) is the neighborhood development organization for LIC [Long Island City]. Our mission is to advocate for economic development that benefits the area’s industrial, commercial, science and technology, cultural, tourism, and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to LIC, retain those already here, engage residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. LICP also operates the LIC Business Improvement District and LIC Industrial Business Zone (LIC IBZ), providing business services and assistance...".

The photo at right shows that it was a packed house at the LIC Summit this year at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria / LIC in Queens.

I believe the first Long Island City Partnership Summit was held in 2014 [also at the Museum of the Moving Image], which we reported on at the time.  Based on their outreach this year, the purpose of the event remains largely intact, which is as follows, " ... to shape the future of the neighborhood, focusing discussions on LIC’s public spaces, sustainability and resiliency, as well as the challenges and opportunities of NYC’s fastest growing neighborhood ...".

So, while a lot has changed in Long Island City, Queens, NYC - and for that matter the world - their goals and efforts remain constant amidst this changing world.  Likewise, many of the key issues of nearly a decade ago, haven't gone away.  These include the scarcity of affordable housing, the need for public space and accessible transit, and the challenge of curating an environment where local small businesses can create and operate viable business models.  And ... to be sure ... we are also facing new challenges, which include the time sensitive need to transition to renewable energy, and build and sustain resilient infrastructure - particularly in low lying and waterfront neighborhoods. 

What follows are some excerpts from the participants of the Keynote panel at the LIC Summit.  The participants included Moderator Carl Weisbrod, Senior Adviser at HR&A; and panelists Justin Ginsburgh, Managing Director Infrastructure Jet Blue; Donovan Richards, Jr, Queens Borough President; and Maria Torres-Springer, NYC Deputy Mayor of Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce for the City of New York.


LaGuardia Community College Pioneers New Ground ... Again

Boyce Technologies Hosts LAGCC President's Society Ten Year Anniversary Celebration

laguardia community college presidents society boyce technologies lic queens nycOctober 9, 2023 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Queens Buzz NYC.

A week ago from last Thursday, I attended a celebration of the President's Society at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City Queens. The LAGCC President's Society is an innovative program designed to help high potential students reach their full potential. The event was held at Boyce Technologies, which is located nearby and designs and manufactures mass transit security and communications equipment.

The reason it was held at Boyce Technologies, is because they and LaGuardia Community College have developed a symbiotic relationship, whereby the school has become one of Boyce's leading suppliers of human talent [reportedly about 20% of their employees], while Boyce has become a significant employer of LaGuardia Community College graduates.

About 200 of the roughly 600 LaGuardia Community College President's Society members, who enrolled in the program over the past ten years, attended the event. This is a particularly remarkable number, when one considers that a number of the attendees came from other parts of the country just to attend this one evening event, and that LaGuardia is a two year public college, not a four year one.

The photo above was taken at the LaGuardia Community College President's Society tenth anniversary reunion at Boyce Technologies in Long Island City on Thursday, September 28, 2023.


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Things To Do This Weekend NYC

Jul 05, 2025 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

  Things to do in NYC This Weekend - All 5 Boros Things to do includes Art Exhibits, Business/Education Seminars, Dance Performances, Dining & Drinking, Farmers M.... Read More

Mount Sinai - Living Donor Celebration - at the NY Academy of Medicine NYC

I was Almost Shocked by a Lot of What I Learned about Kidney & Liver Transplants

mt sinai human organ transplants nyc zweig family center for living donation nyc September 25, 2023 / Manhattan Neighborhoods NYC / Manhattan Healthcare NYC / Manhattan Buzz.

Nearly two weeks ago, on Wednesday, September 13th, I headed into the New York Academy of Medicine at 1215 5th Avenue on the Upper East Side to attend a ceremony - a celebration actually - honoring Living Donors of Mt. Sinai's kidney and liver transplant program. 

To be frank, when first approached to cover this event, I wasn't sure of what to expect.  But after mulling it over, and perhaps with a bit of deference to my Mother, who had signed away her organs on her driver's license [and likely elsewhere], I decided to go to see what I might learn.

 

New York Academy of Medicine on the UES

The ceremony was held at the New York Academy of Medicine, which is located along 5th Avenue at 103rd Street.  The NY Academy of Medicine was founded in 1847 by a number of NYC doctors, most notably the Presidents of the NYU School of Medicine, the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Medical Society of the City and County of New York.  The Academy has played an influential role in shaping public health policy in NYC, NYS and the U.S.

The building in which the New York Academy of Medicine is located, as well as the location of the Mt. Sinai Living Donor Ceremony, was built in 1926 and is also home to the NY Academy of Medicine's library of various aspects of medicine, which was first started in 1847, opened to the public in 1878, and continues to be accessible to the public to this day.  Generally it's dedicated to those wishing to do research and one has to make an appointment to use it.  For more information and to make an appointment see - https://www.nyam.org/library/connect/visit-library/

The Mt. Sinai Living Donor Ceremony event was held on the third floor of the building what seemed a library reading room turned into a theater.  The room had 20 foot high ceilings [possibly higher], nearly floor to ceiling windows overlooking Central Park, and I'm no expert, but I believe the bookcases in the front of the room were made of oak.  The Carnegie Foundation donated about one million to the NY Academy of Medicine to build this building back in the 1920's.

My point in telling you all of this, is to provide a feeling and sense of connection to the past, the early roots of scientific healthcare in this country, which I assume was part of the consideration in selecting this location for the event ... as well as its proximity to the Mt Sinai Hospital campus on the Upper East side, which is located along 5th Avenue between 98th Street and 103rd Street.

CLICK here to read the rest of our story about kidney and liver transplants by Mount Sinai at a presentation at the NY Academy of Medicine.


Oktoberfest in NYC - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island Oktoberfest NYC

Oktoberfest Parties & Celebrations in NYC including in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island

Oktoberfest Begins Mid September in NYC and run thru October

oktoberfest in nyc manhattan brooklyn queens bronx staten island oktoberfest events celebrations in nycUpdating August 29, 2024 from 10.7.23 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The official / unofficial kick off to the month and a half of Oktoberfest events in NYC begins in Manhattan with the Steuben Parade. This report identifies a number of Oktoberfest events around NYC beginning mid September and running through the end of October.

The photo at right shows one of the floats in the Steuben Parade celebrating the consumption of bier, which in tandem with consumption of bratwurst, is an integral part of Oktoberest. One thing the photo doesn't show is the music, that also goes hand in hand with Oktoberfest.

 

A Brief History of Oktoberfest in NYC

Coming with time. We've posted a number of Oktoberfests in this report, but a few more are coming. Also watch the front page, as this year [only] they are likely to be posted there first.

 



San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy Manhattan NYC

Manhattan's Signature Italian Festival Celebrates Little Italy in NYC

san gennaro festival nyc san gennaro parade manhattan san gennaro festival parade manhattan nycSeptember 13, 2023 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Fall is just around the corner, which means the San Gennaro Festival is about to begin in Little Italy in Manhattan. See the front page or the parades & festivals page or click into the story for details of the San Gennaro Festival of 2023.

 

A Very Brief History of Little Italy Manhattan

Little Italy is just north of Canal street, across from Chinatown, which lies to its south. SoHo lies to its west, across Lafayette Street. While the Bowery is just east of it along Mott and Bowery Streets, and Nolita [North of Little Italy] lies to the north of it, across Broome Street. This is something of a downsized area from the original Little Italy of a century ago.

Little Italy was an important destination for Italians arriving in New York City in the late 1800's and early 20th century. It was generally a poor, working class neighborhood at that time, filled with laborers, and shopkeepers who traded food, wine and clothing. And the community was fairly self-sufficient with its own doctors, lawyers and bankers accoding to a Wikipedia account of an NYT story in 1896.

Little Italy's size and population peaked in the early 20th century, aat about 10,000, as Italians left for greener pastures in other parts of the city, including East Harlem, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. Nonetheless, Little Italy remains somewhat intact, as a very popular tourist destination, the peak of which is celebrated in tandem with the San Gennaro Festival.


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911 Memorial & Commemoration Events in NYC

Sep 12, 2023 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

911 Commemoration Events & Remembrances in NYC & Boros 911 Commemorations this Weekend and Monday Updated September 12, 2023 _ September 10, 2023 / NYC Neighborhoo.... Read More

The West Indian American Day Parade(s) in Brooklyn NYC

A Deeper Dive into the Cultural Origins of the Carnival & Some Particulars About the Celebrations in Brooklyn

west indian american day parade & carnival in brooklyn nyc WIADCA parade on labor day bk nycSeptember 6, 2023 / NYC Neighborhoods / Brooklyn Parades & Festivals / Brooklyn BLVD NYC.

On a sultry Labor Day Monday morning, I set out for the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Crown Heights. The former, covers some of the area in Brooklyn known as Little Caribbean and it was to be the ending point for the Jouvert parade, which serves as the warm up for the larger West Indian American Day Parade.

Be advised that I was not aware of this distinction - two parades by the same group on the same day - until I had arrived and started making inquiries about when and where the actions was.

The Jouvert puportedly started at 11 am inside Prospect Park either at the entrance to the Kids Zoo [still not certain about this, but I'm getting closer to being precise] on Flatbush Avenue or based on a map I saw on the NYPD website, the Jouvert started at Grand Army Plaza, at the north end of Prospect Park. I'll be following up on this, and make the changes here when I get them.

The photo above right was taken at the West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn on Labor Day. Many different island cultures celebrate the carnival in unison. The flag in the lower right corner of the photo is Jamaican.

west indian american day parade & carnival in brooklyn nyc WIADCA parade on labor day bk nycThe Jouvert then marched east along Empire Boulevard before turning south on Nostrand Avenue and terminating at Winthrop. I arrived a bit before noon, at Empire Blvd and Nostrand, where the Jouvert Parade had already passed. The Jouvert Parade involves participants adorning themselves with paint and powder, sometimes sharing it with others in a style that reminded me of the Indian Holi celebration.

Speaking of Indians, the West Indies got their name after Columbus discovered them for the Spanish throne. They were called the West Indies, in order to differentiate them from the East Indies, with which the Portuguese had opened up trading routes in the 15th century just prior to Columbus's discovery. The East Indies comprises the islands that lie south of India, the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea and north and west of Australia.

CLICK here to read the rest of our report about the West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn over the Labor Day Weekend.


Floyd Bennett Field Returns, for Encore, as Gateway to NYC

NYC Mayor Adams & NYS Governor Hochul Receive a Lease Agreement from the U.S. Government to Lease Floyd Bennett Field

things to do in queensAugust 29, 2023 / Brooklyn Neighborhoods / NYC Issues / Brooklyn BLVD.

Just over a week ago, Governor Hochul announced that she and NYC Mayor Adams had received a lease agreement from the Biden Administration, regarding the terms for leasing the Floyd Bennett Airfield for temporary use as a migrant center. The airfield is expected to be capable of providing temporary shelter for about 2,500 immigrants.

 

Floyd Bennett Field is a Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area

Floyd Bennett Airfield is located at the south eastern end of Brookyn and is part of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife sanctuary, as you can see from the map at right. The airport became a part of the National Park Service in 1972 when the Gateway National Recreation Area was established to protect important natural resources within / near NYC. Sandy Hook New Jersey is also a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, while the rest of it is located in Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn, as previously implied.

 

Floyd Bennett Airfield - NYC's First Airport - Opened 1931

things to do in queensFour years ago, on August 31, 2019, I visited the Floyd Bennett Airfield with the intention of doing a story on it, which - until now - I had not had an opportunity to do. On that visit, I biked the airfield, took photos in both the museum and peeked through the dusty windows of the hangars and warehouses on the airfield, to photographed our recent past.

Given that the airfield is about to be transformed into a sprawling migrant center, I thought folks might want to take a look at it as it was four years ago, before it is repurposed into something quite new. Along with this story, I'll also take you through a brief history ...

... as the Floyd Bennett Airfield was NYC's first airport, predating LaGuardia which according to Wikipedia opened on December 2, 1939 and JFK which opened as New York International Airport [nicknamed Idlewild] in July 1, 1948. Floyd Bennett Airfield opened on May 23, 1931.


Free Summer Movies in NYC Free Summer Films in NYC

Free Summer Movies in NYC - Free Summer Films in NYC

Nov 09, 2023 at 12:15 am by PeterParker

Mostly Free Summer Outdoor Movies in NYC There are a Number of Free Summer Outdoor Movies being Shown in all Five Boros Again this Year as We / NYC Continue to Make Our J.... Read More
NYC Election Day Poll Finder & Early Voting Information NYC

NYS Politics & Election Day November 2022

NYS Elections are November 8th, Today

nyc poll site locator queens poll site locator manhattan polls locations

November 8, 2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC. 

The NYS election is today, Tuesday November 8th.  On the ballot are the following races: U.S. Senate, Governor, Other state level positions such as Attorney General, State Assembly, State Senators and Ballot measures.



Thanksgiving Food & Wine Shopping NYC

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NYC Gourmet Shops & Thanksgiving Restaurants in NYC

Shops and Restaurants for Preparing or Eating Thanksgiving Day Dinner in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island

thanksgiving day shops and restaurants in manhattan thanksgiving day restaurants gourmet shops manhattan nycUPDATING October 15, 2024 vs 11.2.2022 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / Gotham Buzz NYC.

The origins of Thanksgiving Day in the United States began with one of America’s first settlements, founded by the risk-taking, resource-pooling, hardworking, spiritual community of Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were early English settlers who arrived on American shores in the early 17th century [1600’s]. They came here because they wanted a measure of freedom and self-determination that they were forbidden in Europe or what was called the ‘old country’. The Pilgrims wanted to practice their faith, unencumbered, in a way that differed from the established Church of England. They pooled their money to obtain a ship, the Mayflower, to cross the Atlantic in mid September of 1620, landing on America's shores at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts on November 9, 1620.

The Pilgrims Receive Help from the Native People of a Strange Land

Per Wikipedia, the Piligrims survived a hard winter in 1621 with the help of the Wampanoag, an American Indian tribe. The Pilgrims were the immigrants, and the first Americans, the Indian natives, welcomed them. The Wampanaog taught the Pilgrims how to catch eels, and how to grow and harvest corn. Thus the Pilgrims ended 1621 with a good harvest which they celebrated and shared with their new friends, expressing their thanks to a higher power, aka God, for the success of their endeavors.

Thus it was that the first Thanksgiving celebration happened in America. There's some dispute to this account, which we'll address in a future post, near Thanksgiving Day.



How the President, a Former NYC Mayor and Murdoch's Fox News Seemed to Incite the Capitol Insurrectionists

Jan 24, 2021 at 06:41 pm by mikewood

  How the President, a Former NYC Mayor and Murdoch's Fox News Seemed to Incite the Capitol Insurrectionists How the President, a Former NYC Mayor and Murdoch's Fox.... Read More

 


Things To Do in NYC This Weekend July 30 - August 1st, 2021

Food, Music, Art Festivals & Movies in NYC this Weekend

July 30, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

things to do this weekend in nyc things to do in manhattan brooklyn. queens bronx staten island nyc things to do over the weekend nycWeather. There's a 60% probability of about a third inch of rain beginning sometime between 3 and 6 pm Sunday. The rest of the weekend should be clear. The temperature highs will be around 80 and the lows in the mid 60's all weekend. Humidity will range from 50% - 60% all weekend, except Sunday night when it rises to near 80% due to the rain. The winds will vary throughout the weekend from about 15 mph Friday, to 5 mph Saturday and 10 mph Sunday. All in all, not a bad weather weekend.

 

FYI - On the Great Lawn - NYC Homecoming Concert 2021

  • CENTRAL PARK _ Tuesday August 24, 2021 from 10 am - 6 pm - We Love NYC - A big Free HomeComing Concert - On the Great Lawn in Central Park, but must be ticketed, and meet CoVid guidelines. Tickets go on 'sale' on August 2nd and are expected to go quickly at www.ticketmaster.com. Free Manhattan concerts NYC.

 

All Five Boros are Back Online with Live Cultural Programs & Events

But please remain CoVid cautious for your own health and that of those around you by getting vaccinated, wearing masks when indoors or in close proximity to others and by washing your hands regularly.

Here are links to things going on in each borough this weekend.

Things to do this weekend in the Bronx

Things to do this weekend in Brooklyn

Things to do this weekend in Manhattan

Things to do this weekend in Queens

Things to do this weekend on Staten Island

Also see links below, posted on July 16, 2021, to farmers markets, street fairs and free theater, movies, concerts and swimming pools.

Enjoy.


NYC Congestion Pricing Bill Under Consideration in Albany NYS

Congestion Pricing & the Lobbying Apparatus that Won't Take No For an Answer

Congestion Pricing Legislation was being Pushed in Albany over a Decade Ago ... so Who's Really in Charge?

congestion pricing legislation albany nysMarch 26, 2019 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Politics & Government / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.

Last week I attended a Congestion Pricing Town Hall organized by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. Earlier in the week City Council Member Helen Rosenthal had organized one along the same lines because legislation is percolating in Albany.

Governor Cuomo appears to be itching to pass the Congestion Pricing legislation, likely so he can get his hands on more taxpayer money, while satisfying a whole host of private industry consultants and corporations. These consultants and corporations would then rake in hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars thanks to Albany. So then would they recycle a small portion of the funds into the campaigns of the folks who supported it?

These days that seems to be the campaign funding cycle - where the voters get left out because they aren't minding the store. A government of the people, by the people and for the people doesn't work if the people aren't paying attention. Jefferson said, "Those who believe they can be ignorant and free, believe in something that never was and never shall be."

 

I. Congestion Pricing is a Very Expensive Taxation Plan

congestion pricing legislation albany nysLet me start by outlining what the Congestion Pricing legislation really is, versus the myriad of narratives they've used to sell this pig. While they have said it will reduce congestion, reduce carbons, increase cycling, increase safety - note that all of these claims are highly debatable. Based on the research I've done, the Congestion Pricing Plan seems quite simply to be a very, very expensive means of taxation.

In London, where they implemented Congestion Pricing over a decade ago, as of a few years ago, only about half of the revenue made its way into public transit development. The other half was used to install and operate [and god knows what else] the new infrastructure. Click here to read a prior report we did which includes lots of facts, figures and the history and effects of congestion pricing in the U.S. and Europe.

It's worth noting that London decided NOT to go forward with the second proposed phase of Congestion Pricing. And it's worth mentioning that I found a lot of 'authoritative looking' disinformation out there regarding the London results, which one can surmise was encouraged - if not funded - by those who so handsomely profit from this sort of legislation.

If the government officials in Albany are going to increase our taxes, the least they could do is make it such that the taxation revenue that is collected is 100% usable, not 50% usable.

When you take away the incremental revenue generated by the Congestion Pricing Plan, you will clearly see that it DOES NOTHING TO SOLVE THE NYC MASS TRANSIT PROBLEM and there are far less expensive / more efficient / more beneficial means of taxation.